Median Age
41 Years
Largest Age Group
25-34 Years
Approximately 13% of Residents
Under 20
23%
Over 65
20%
Jefferson City, MO
Area Guide
Avg Rent
$651
Population
40,676
Renter Mix
44% Rent
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.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$57,265
Average: $77,095
Education
12,239
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
21,586
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
Jefferson City has more homeowners than renters.
Renters
44%
Non-Renters
56%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
26%
Other Education
74%
Rent Trends
As of May 2026, the average apartment rent in Jefferson City, MO is $349 for a studio, $651 for one bedroom, $883 for two bedrooms, and $1,086 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Jefferson City has increased by 10.5% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$651/month
590 Sq Ft
House
$1,554/month
1,704 Sq Ft
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Jefferson City, MO is 8.9% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in Jefferson City is 22.1% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $349 - $1,086. You can expect to pay 5.8% less for groceries, 7.4% less for utilities, and 1.7% more for transportation.
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Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Jefferson City, MO is for everyday living.
Fairly Walkable
Walkability
40
/ 100
Very Drivable
Drivability
80
/ 100
Fairly Bikeable
Bikeability
50
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Public
Grades K-5
328 Students
Moreau Heights Elementary School
Public
Grades K-5
328 Students
Public
Grades K-5
307 Students
Public
Grades K-5
307 Students
Clarence Lawson Elementary School
Public
Grades K-5
419 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
264 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
957 Students
Thomas Jefferson Middle School
Public
Grades 6-8
957 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
1,005 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
1,005 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
457 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,404 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,296 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,296 Students
Public
Grades K-12
22 Students
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
Parks and Recreation
- Jefferson Landing State Historic Site
- Missouri State Museum
- Runge Conservation Nature Center
- Katy Trail State Park
Commuter Rail
Airports
- Columbia Regional
Top Apartments in Jefferson City
Houses for Rent in Jefferson City
Search Nearby Rentals
Nearby House Rentals
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 February 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.