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City Report · TN

Jefferson City

Pop. 8,579·60th most expensive in Tennessee·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,152/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-11.7%
vs US Median
-$813
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Jefferson City · $1,152
More affordable than 93% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
23% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,152/mo, rent takes about 23% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$46,000/yr
Local median income
$60,638/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Jefferson City's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$810
1 BR
$810
2 BR
$1,050
3 BR
$1,380
4 BR+
$1,720
Research median
$1,050/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: April 17, 2026

Annual cost
$13,824/yr
At $1,152/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 0.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -11.7% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Jefferson City, TN is roughly split between renters and owners, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 19.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
8,579
Median income
$60,638
Median age
33.7
Renters
48.9%
Age distribution
19%
33.1%
23.6%
12.8%
Under 1819%
18–3433.1%
35–5423.6%
55–6411.5%
65+12.8%
Gender
48.4%
51.6%
Male48.4%
Female51.6%
Race & ethnicity
88.6%
White88.6%
Black2.9%
Hispanic6.5%
Asian0.5%
Other1.5%
Education (25+)
44.3%
25%
19.6%
No HS diploma11.1%
HS diploma44.3%
Some college25%
Bachelor's+19.6%
Housing tenure
51.1%
48.9%
Owner51.1%
Renter48.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Jefferson City, TN has changed in 5 years

Income
$46,056 → $60,638
up 31.7%
Population
8,173 → 8,579
up 5.0%
Renter share
53.4% → 48.9%
-4.5 pts
Bachelor's+
26.7% → 19.6%
-7.1 pts
Median age
31.2 → 33.7
+2.5 yrs

Median household income climbed from $46,056 to $60,638 between 2021 and 2024, a 31.7% shift. Census counts show Jefferson City, TN adding about 406 residents over the five-year window, up 5.0% on net. The renter share has eased from 53.4% to 48.9%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 26.7% to 19.6% across the same window.

Community

Discussions about Jefferson City

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View Jefferson City rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Jefferson City on your salary?

At $1,152/mo, how Jefferson City rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Jefferson City rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Jefferson City. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Jefferson City

About renting in Jefferson City, TN

Last updated: April 17, 2026

The median rent in Jefferson City is $1,152/mo as of April 2026. A studio apartment averages $810/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,050/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $810/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,380/mo.

At 23% of local median household income ($60,638/yr), Jefferson City ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Jefferson City an affordable city for renters?

Jefferson City is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,152/mo, rent takes approximately 23% of the local median household income ($60,638/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Jefferson City falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Jefferson City?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $46,000/year (~$22/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,152/mo in Jefferson City. The local median household income is $60,638/yr, meaning the typical Jefferson City household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Jefferson City?

Rent in Jefferson City has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of April 2026.

How does Jefferson City rent compare to other cities in Tennessee?

Jefferson City is one of the more affordable cities in Tennessee for rent, ranking #60 out of 64 tracked cities at $1,152/mo.

What percentage of Jefferson City residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 48.9% of Jefferson City households are renters, while 51.1% are owner-occupied. Jefferson City leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Jefferson City rent compare to the national average?

Jefferson City's median rent of $1,152/mo is $813 (41%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Tennessee, it ranks #60 out of 64 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
23%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,152/mo, rent takes ~23% of Jefferson City's median household income ($60,638/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Jefferson City 23%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Jefferson City, TN

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