Jefferson City

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Jefferson City, MO

Area Guide

Missouri’s historic capital is charming and community-focused

Walkable Historic Scenic

Welcome to Jefferson City, Missouri's capital city, where historic architecture meets riverside living along the Missouri River. This community of approximately 43,000 residents centers around government, healthcare, and education sectors. The Missouri State Capitol, perched atop a bluff overlooking the Missouri River, serves as the city's defining landmark. Housing options span from character-filled homes in the Old Munichburg district to contemporary apartment communities, with current average rents ranging from $570 for one-bedroom units to $1,189 for three-bedroom homes. The rental market has seen moderate growth, with rates increasing between 3-13% annually.

Jefferson City's heritage and natural landscape create an appealing environment for residents. Lincoln University anchors the educational community, while the Missouri River and nearby Ozark Plateau provide outdoor recreation opportunities. The Missouri State Penitentiary, which closed its doors in 2004, now operates as a historic site and museum. The Old Munichburg district preserves the city's German heritage through its distinctive architecture and seasonal festivals. With temperatures reaching the 80s in summer and dipping into the 20s in winter, residents can explore local parks like Ellis-Porter Riverside Park and McKay Park throughout much of the year.

Rent Trends

As of November 2025, the average apartment rent in Jefferson City, MO is $351 for a studio, $594 for one bedroom, $777 for two bedrooms, and $1,234 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Jefferson City has increased by 3.5% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$594/month
591 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Jefferson City, MO

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Jefferson City, MO is 9.0% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in Jefferson City is 22.3% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $351 - $1,234. You can expect to pay 6.6% less for groceries, 7.5% less for utilities, and 1.7% more for transportation.

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Transportation

47

Car-Dependent

out of 100 WalkScore® Rating

This area is considered a car-dependent area and most errands will require a car.

31

Somewhat Bikeable

out of 100 BikeScore® Rating

You might be able to find places to ride your bike in this area, but you’ll most likely want your car for most errands.

Schools

Moreau Heights Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

328 Students

West Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

307 Students

Clarence Lawson Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

419 Students

South Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

312 Students

Pioneer Trail Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

477 Students

Blair Oaks Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

264 Students

Thomas Jefferson Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

957 Students

Lewis and Clark Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

1,005 Students

H Kenneth Kirchner School

Public

Grades K-12

22 Students

MOVIP HIGH SCHOOL

Public

Grades 6-12

Blair Oaks High

Public

Grades 9-12

457 Students

Capital City High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,404 Students

Jefferson City High

Public

Grades 9-12

1,296 Students

H Kenneth Kirchner School

Public

Grades K-12

22 Students

MOVIP HIGH SCHOOL

Public

Grades 6-12

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • Jefferson Landing State Historic Site
  • Missouri State Museum
  • Runge Conservation Nature Center
  • Katy Trail State Park

Airports

  • Columbia Regional

Top Apartments in Jefferson City

Houses for Rent in Jefferson City

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Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in November 2025.