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City · 42,488 residents · Cole County, Missouri

Jefferson City , Missouri

In Jefferson City, a typical home is worth $218,700 and typical rent is $802 a month. Compared with all of Cole County, typical household income is 11% lower and the share of households that own their home is 9 points lower.

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  • Typical home value

    $218,700

    5% below the county

    5% below Missouri

    • Jefferson City
    • Cole
    • Missouri

  • Typical rent

    $802a month

    4% below the county

    22% below Missouri

    • Jefferson City
    • Cole
    • Missouri

  • Typical household income

    $66,371a year

    11% below the county

    6% below Missouri

    • Jefferson City
    • Cole
    • Missouri

  • Households that own their home

    59%

    9 points below the county

    9 points below Missouri

    • Jefferson City
    • Cole
    • Missouri

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$277,642
7.3% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent
$1,005 a month
6.3% more than 12 months ago

From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).

Jefferson City is in Cole County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Cole County. See the county

Data updated: October 1, 2026 11 official sources

Only here

What sets Jefferson City apart

What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.

  1. Nearby, in Mexico, the typical home value is $139,800: 36% less than in Jefferson City ($218,700).

  2. According to Zillow, in the 12 months to September 2026 the typical home value in Jefferson City rose 7.3%; in Missouri, it rose 3.4%.

  3. 59% of households in Jefferson City own their home, against 68% in Cole County.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024); Zillow (September 2026 data). Zillow data

The homes here

Housing in Jefferson City

What homes there are in Jefferson City, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).

What homes there are

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Kind of home

The detached house is still the most common home in Jefferson City, but it weighs less than in Cole County: 61% against 69%.

Year built

In Jefferson City, half of the homes were built before 1978; in Cole County, before 1982.

There are fewer big homes in Jefferson City than in Cole County: 62% have 3 bedrooms or more, against 69%.

All homes, occupied or empty. A figure the Census cannot measure precisely enough here is not shown.

Census tables: B25024, B25034, B25035, B25041

What it costs here

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Value of owner-occupied homes

By price, most homes in Jefferson City sit under the FHA limit for Cole County ($541,287): about 96%.

Monthly rent with utilities

HUD's 2-bedroom fair market rent (FMR) for Cole County is $962; about 68% of rents in Jefferson City are below it.

With a mortgage

$1,380 a month

Cole County: $1,420 a month

Without a mortgage

$513 a month

Cole County: $503 a month

Owners with a mortgage

59%

Cole County: 59%

The typical cost for an owner with a mortgage in Jefferson City is $1,380 a month, near the figure in Cole County ($1,420).

Value: what owners think their home is worth. Rent: rent plus utilities, for homes of every size. The FHA limit is the most an FHA loan (Federal Housing Administration) lends for a one-unit home; the fair market rent (FMR) is the one HUD uses for housing vouchers.

Census tables: B25075, B25063, B25088, B25081

How it changed

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024

Change since 2015–2019

From 2015–2019 to 2020–2024, the typical home value in Jefferson City rose 48%; in Cole County, it rose 42%.

Rents in Jefferson City rose at about the same pace as in Cole County: 27% since 2015–2019, against 26%.

While home values in Jefferson City changed +48% and rent +27%, the typical household income rose 27%.

Change between two 5-year periods that do not overlap, in each period's dollars, not adjusted for inflation.

Census tables: B25077, B25064, B19013

How people live

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

MeasureJefferson CityCole CountyMissouriUnited States
Rental vacancy 8.2%6.2%5.0%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate0.9%0.9%
More than one person per room Unreliable estimate1.0%1.7%3.4%
People per household 2.192.352.402.53
Drive alone 74%78%75%69%
Carpool 10%9%8%9%
Public transit Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate1%3%
Walk or bike 2%1%2%3%
Work from home 10%9%13%15%
Other means 2%2%1%2%
Typical commute 10 to 19 minutes10 to 19 minutes20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

In Jefferson City, the rental vacancy rate is 8.2%; in Cole County, 6.2%.

Households in Jefferson City are smaller: 2.19 people on average; in Cole County, 2.35.

In Jefferson City, 74% of workers drive alone to work; in Cole County, 78%.

Vacancy: empty homes offered for rent or for sale. Rooms: every room in the home, not only bedrooms. Commute: the minute range of the typical worker.

Census tables: B25004, B25003, B25014, B25010, B08301, B08303

Do the math

What would you pay each month for a home in Jefferson City?

A typical home is tight for the typical income

We start with a typical home in Jefferson City, worth $218,700, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 32% of the typical household income in Jefferson City, which is $66,371 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $76,644 a year.

The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Cole County.

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in Jefferson City. Change it to the price you have in mind.

Loan type
Your credit score

Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.

Down payment
%

That is $7,655 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.

This week's average ± a quarter or half point.

Term

National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.

Adjust advanced details

Estimated monthly payment

Local data

$1,788

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$214,738
Total interest
$308,958
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $3,693 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $1,549 a month

  • Tight

    $1,549 to $1,991 a month

    Your payment · 32%

  • Hard

    more than $1,991 a month

Compared with the typical household income in Jefferson City ($66,371 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$1,788
Principal & interest$1,455
Property tax$146
Home insurance$91
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$97

You need at least $7,655 for the down payment, plus closing costs.

Next step

This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.

The city and its county

Jefferson City and Cole County

Jefferson City is in Cole County, Missouri. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).

Jefferson City's own numbers

Typical home value
$218,700
Typical monthly rent
$802
Typical yearly household income
$66,371
Households that own their home
59%
Effective property tax rate
0.8%

U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).

Numbers for all of Cole County

FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$962
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+66%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
1.4%

HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.

Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Cole County.

Everything about Cole County

Buying

Buying a home in Jefferson City

A typical home in Jefferson City is worth $218,700: 5% below the county and 5% below Missouri. With the typical household income in Jefferson City ($66,371 a year), a typical home costs 3.3 times what the household earns in a year.

Years of income to pay for a typical home

The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.

  • Jefferson City 3.3 years
  • Cole 3.1 years
  • Missouri 3.3 years
  • United States 4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

How prices have changed in Cole County

According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Cole County rose 90% in the 10 years through 2025.

FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Cole County.

Period County Missouri U.S.
Last year (2025) +6.6% +3.7% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +66% +51% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +90% +88% +85%

The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data

Jefferson City next to Cole County, Missouri and the U.S.

Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.

Typical home value
  • Jefferson City $218,700
  • Cole $229,600
  • Missouri $230,300
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • Jefferson City $802
  • Cole $834
  • Missouri $1,033
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • Jefferson City $66,371
  • Cole $74,876
  • Missouri $70,702
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
Jefferson City next to Cole County and Missouri
Measure Jefferson City Cole County Missouri U.S.
Typical home value $218,700 $229,600 $230,300 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $802 $834 $1,033 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $66,371 $74,876 $70,702 $80,734
Households that own their home 59% 68% 68% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $1,751 $1,769 $1,948 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 0.8% 0.77% 0.85% 0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income 40% 35% 46% 51%

“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Cole County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

Four ways to pay for a typical home in Jefferson City

For a typical $218,700 home in Jefferson City, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Jefferson City's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

  • FHA, 3.5% down $1,788a month

    Least cash to close
    Down payment
    $7,655
    Cash to close
    $14,216
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $97

  • Conventional, 5% down $1,748a month

    Down payment
    $10,935
    Cash to close
    $17,496
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $104

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $1,422a month

    Down payment
    $43,740
    Cash to close
    $50,301
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $1,624a month

    Down payment
    $32,805
    Cash to close
    $39,366
    Rate
    8.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.

  • Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
  • Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
  • The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.

How much house can I afford? Estimate closing costs

Taxes and floods

Two costs that change from place to place

Property tax and flood insurance raise or lower what you pay each month. Here are the numbers for Jefferson City and for Cole County.

Property tax

Effective rate in Jefferson City

0.8%of the home’s value each year

$1,751 a year for the typical owner in Jefferson City.

  • Jefferson City 0.8%
  • Cole 0.77%
  • Missouri 0.85%

What Missouri publishes Deadline to appeal the assessment to the county board of equalization (Missouri Revisor of Statutes (Revised Statutes of Missouri))

Exemptions and deadlines in Missouri

Flood risk in Cole County

FEMA does not publish these numbers by city: they are for all of Cole County.

Homes in the high-risk zone
1.4%
413
Of those, with NFIP insurance
16%
County Missouri U.S.
Homes in the high-risk zone 1.4% 1.6% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 16% 19% 48%

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Renting

Renting in Jefferson City

Typical rent in Jefferson City is $802 a month: 4% below the county. In Jefferson City, 40% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Cole County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($962 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $18.50 an hour working full time.

HUD fair market rent for all of Cole County

What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.

Size Fair rent a month Hourly wage Yearly income
Studio $731 $14.06 $29,240
1 bedroom $735 $14.13 $29,400
2 bedrooms $962 $18.50 $38,480
3 bedrooms $1,332 $25.62 $53,280
4 bedrooms $1,548 $29.77 $61,920

Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

By ZIP code

Fair market rent by ZIP code in Jefferson City

HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Jefferson City has 2 ZIP codes with their own.

For 2 bedrooms it runs from $960 in 65101 to $1,020 in 65109.

1 of the 2 is above the fair market rent for Cole County ($962).

  • 65101 $960$1,330
  • 65109 $1,020$1,410

2 of these ZIP codes cross the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Jefferson City when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file Data from 2020 data Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file

Is your rent high for your ZIP?

Low-income apartments

Low-income apartments in Jefferson City

HUD lists 19 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Jefferson City. These are the largest.

  • Housing Authority of Jefferson City 800 E Elm St, Jefferson City 65101 199 homes, 198 low-income · Run by Housing Authority of the City of Jefferson · Average payment: $274 a month · Average wait: 9 months · Homes at several sites (573) 635-6163
  • Hamilton Towers 12 Jackson St, Jefferson City 65101 120 low-income homes · For older adults (573) 635-6163
  • Hyder Elderly Apts 1310 Linden Dr, Jefferson City 65109 116 low-income homes · 1 bd: 116 · In service since 2004 · For older adults, people with disabilities (573) 634-3058
  • Dulle Towers Apartments 10 Jackson St, Jefferson City 65101 100 homes, 82 low-income · Run by Housing Authority of the City of Jefferson · Average payment: $255 a month · Average wait: 4 months (573) 635-6163
  • Linden Campus Apartments 1010 Linden Way, Jefferson City 65109 91 homes, 67 low-income · For older adults (573) 635-6163

See all 22 buildings in Cole County Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026

Free help

Help to buy or rent in Jefferson City

You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.

We found no HUD-approved agencies with an office in Cole County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.

A man listens closely, seated at a meeting table.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in Jefferson City

No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Jefferson City or Cole County. The ones below are statewide in Missouri: they work in Jefferson City the same as in the rest of the state.

Which programs do I qualify for? All programs in Missouri

  • First Place Loan Program

    Statewide in Missouri

    Missouri state commission mortgage for first-time buyers and veterans, with the option of cash assistance for the down payment and closing costs. Offered by Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC).

    Type not stated

    See the program Official page

  • Next Step Program

    Statewide in Missouri

    Missouri state commission mortgage for buyers who earn more than First Place allows, with a second loan of 4% of the mortgage for the down payment and closing costs that is forgiven after ten years. Offered by Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC).

    Forgivable

    See the program Official page

Housing counselors near Jefferson City

The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of Jefferson City, in a straight line, nearest first. If one says it serves in Spanish, its card says so.

  • Love Columbia

    1209 E Walnut St, Columbia · 28 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Home improvement and repairs
    • and 4 more
    (573) 256-7662

  • North East Community Action Corporation

    16 N Court St, Bowling Green · 75 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 6 more
    (573) 324-2231

  • Community Action Agency of ST. Louis County, Inc. (CAASTLC)

    2709 Woodson Rd, Saint Louis · 98 miles away

    • Budget and financial counseling
    • Budget and credit workshops
    • and 5 more
    (314) 863-0015

All counseling agencies in Missouri

Help in Spanish near Jefferson City

None of the 3 agencies on this list say they serve in Spanish.

Ask for service in Spanish

When you call, say “Spanish, please” or ask if someone speaks Spanish. If not, ask whether they offer an interpreter.

Housing authorities of Jefferson City

In HUD’s record, no housing authority with an office in Cole County is named for Jefferson City or Cole County.

One other authority has an office in Cole County: see the list Source: HUD

Cities

Nearby cities

The cities closest to Jefferson City, with the typical home value.

Everything about Cole County Housing in Missouri

Neighboring counties

If Cole County is out of reach, look next door. Each number is that county's own.

Keep going

Guides for your next step

Short explanations, in plain language and with official sources, for buying or renting in Jefferson City.

All guides
A mother smiles as she carries her young daughter on her shoulders (black and white).

Questions

Housing questions about Jefferson City

Short answers with the numbers for Jefferson City and all of Cole County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.

How much does a typical home cost in Jefferson City?

The typical home value in Jefferson City is $218,700, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Cole County it is $229,600.

How much does it cost to rent in Jefferson City?

Typical rent in Jefferson City is $802 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Cole County is $962.

What is the FHA loan limit in Jefferson City?

Jefferson City uses the FHA limit for all of Cole County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.

How much property tax do owners pay in Jefferson City?

The typical homeowner in Jefferson City pays $1,751 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.8% of the home’s value; in Cole County, the rate is 0.77%.

Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Jefferson City?

We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Cole County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.

Sources: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates (Average 2020–2024); FHA mortgage limits (HUD) (2026 data); Conforming loan limits (FHFA) (2026 data); Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (2020 data); HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Public Housing Agencies (HUD) (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) (As of November 5, 2026); FHFA House Price Index (HPI) (2025 data); Homes with flood insurance (NFIP, FEMA) (As of August 3, 2026).