Cost of living in Jefferson City, MO
152,712 people (Census 2025 estimate). Overall prices are 12.0% below the US average, with housing at 62.1 on BEA’s index (US = 100). A single renter on $60,000 keeps $1,770 a month after 2026 taxes and modeled costs.
Typical household budgets in Jefferson City, MO
Computed by MoveMath’s engine with 2026 tax law, HUD Fair Market Rent for the bedrooms each household needs, no childcare (DOL publishes no childcare prices for this metro’s principal county — see below), USDA Moderate-Cost food, one car per adult and $1,000 a month of other spending at US-average prices scaled by local price levels.
Childcare is not included in these budgets: DOL’s National Database of Childcare Prices has no price for Cole County, MO in any year from 2018 to 2022 (most Missouri counties have no NDCP prices for those years). The family’s budget would be higher by the cost of care.
| Per month | Single, $60k | Couple + toddler, $110k | Family of four, $74,030 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $5,000 | $9,167 | $6,169 |
| Taxes | $955 | $1,543 | $631 |
| Take-home pay | $4,045 | $7,624 | $5,538 |
| Housing | $735 | $962 | $962 |
| Food | $415 | $931 | $1,208 |
| Transportation | $164 | $329 | $329 |
| Sales tax | $25 | $31 | $35 |
| Other goods & services | $936 | $936 | $936 |
| Left over | $1,770 | $4,435 | $2,069 |
Family of four = two adults, a preschooler and a school-age child at the metro’s median household income ($74,030). Click a column to open it in the budget planner and change any input.
Price levels: Jefferson City, MO vs Missouri and the US
BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024. 100 = US average; bars compare the metro (dark) with Missouri statewide (light).
Within Missouri, Jefferson City, MO ranks 5th of 8 metros on overall prices; the state as a whole is at 90.8. The dashed line marks the US average.
Rent and homeownership
| Unit | HUD Fair Market Rent | Income needed at 30% | Share of median income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $731 | $29,240 | 11.8% |
| 1-bedroom | $735 | $29,400 | 11.9% |
| 2-bedroom | $962 | $38,480 | 15.6% |
| 3-bedroom | $1,332 | $53,280 | 21.6% |
| 4-bedroom | $1,548 | $61,920 | 25.1% |
FY2027 FMRs for Jefferson City, MO HUD Metro FMR Area: 40th-percentile gross rent (rent + tenant-paid utilities) for standard-quality units. Census median gross rent, all unit sizes: $827 (ACS 2020-2024).
Childcare prices in Cole County, MO
No childcare prices: DOL’s National Database of Childcare Prices has no price for Cole County, MO in any year from 2018 to 2022 (most Missouri counties have no NDCP prices for those years). Childcare is left out of the budgets on this page (not counted as $0 cost) rather than estimated.
Taxes: what you keep in Jefferson City
| Single filer, 2026 | $50,000 | $75,000 | $120,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal income tax | $3,820 | $7,670 | $17,570 |
| Social Security + Medicare | $3,825 | $5,738 | $9,180 |
| Missouri income tax | $1,368 | $2,534 | $4,661 |
| Take-home pay / month | $3,416 | $4,922 | $7,382 |
| Share of pay to taxes | 18.0% | 21.3% | 26.2% |
No mandatory local income tax for residents of Jefferson City in our data. State sales tax: 4.225% (state rate only; local rates add on), groceries 1.225%.
Calculate take-home pay for your household in Jefferson City, MO
Energy and fuel
EIA: electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05. Renters’ utilities are already inside gross rent.
Nearby metros
| Metro | Distance | Price level | 2-BR FMR | Single $60k left over |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson City, MO | — | 88.0 | $962 | $1,770 |
| Columbia, MO · compare | 27 mi | 89.4 | $1,076 | $1,546 (−$224) |
| St. Louis, MO-IL · compare | 104 mi | 95.1 | $1,349 | $1,267 (−$503) |
| Springfield, MO · compare | 113 mi | 88.6 | $1,113 | $1,592 (−$178) |
| Kansas City, MO-KS · compare | 133 mi | 92.5 | $1,546 | $1,088 (−$682) |
| Springfield, IL · compare | 160 mi | 92.7 | $1,237 | $1,414 (−$355) |
| Joplin, MO-KS · compare | 164 mi | 85.7 | $1,153 | $1,595 (−$175) |
Frequently asked questions
Is Jefferson City, MO expensive to live in?+
BEA’s Regional Price Parities put overall prices in the Jefferson City, MO metro at 88.0 (US = 100) in 2024 — 12.0% below the national average and the 337th highest of 387 metros. Housing is 62.1, goods 94.2.
What salary do you need to live in Jefferson City, MO?+
A single renter earning $60,000 keeps $4,045 a month after 2026 taxes and has $1,770 left after rent at HUD Fair Market Rent, food, fuel, sales tax and other modeled costs. Use the cost of living calculator to find the salary that matches your current budget.
How much is rent in Jefferson City, MO?+
HUD’s FY2027 Fair Market Rent — the 40th-percentile gross rent including utilities — is $735 for a 1-bedroom and $962 for a 2-bedroom. The Census median gross rent for all units is $827.
Does Jefferson City have a local income tax?+
No mandatory local income tax applies to residents of Jefferson City in our 2026 data. Missouri state income tax does apply.