How many renters in Jefferson City, MO pay more than 30% of their income on rent?

Name: Rent burden in Jefferson City, MO, 2020–2024
Creator: US Census Bureau
License: https://www.census.gov/data/developers/about/terms-of-service.html

40.3% (±5.7 points) of renting households in Jefferson City, MO spend 30% or more of their household income on gross rent (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

33.2% spend 35% or more.

The median renting household spends 24.2% of its income on rent.

Figures last updated on November 12, 2026.

Paying 30% or more: 40.3% (±5.7 points)
Paying 35% or more: 33.2% (±5.0 points)
Median share of income: 24.2% (±2.3 points)

Rent as a share of income in Jefferson City

Renting households by gross rent as a percentage of household income, 2020–2024
Share of income spent on rent	Jefferson City	Cole County	Missouri	United States
Less than 15%	20.8% (±3.6 points)	23.2%	15.2%	12.6%
15% to 19.9%	20.1% (±4.1 points)	21.8%	14.0%	12.2%
20% to 24.9%	10.8% (±3.1 points)	12.1%	13.5%	12.6%
25% to 29.9%	8.0% (±2.5 points)	8.3%	11.8%	11.5%
30% to 34.9%	7.1% (±2.8 points)	6.8%	9.0%	9.2%
35% or more	33.2% (±5.0 points)	27.8%	36.6%	41.9%

Households whose income could not be measured against their rent (for example, those reporting no income) are left out of these shares, as the Census Bureau leaves them out.

Jefferson City against Cole County, its state and the nation

Estimate (90% margin of error)
	Jefferson City	Cole County	Missouri	United States
Paying 30% or more	40.3% (±5.7 points)	34.6% (±4.7 points)	45.6% (±0.6 points)	51.1%
Paying 35% or more	33.2% (±5.0 points)	27.8% (±4.0 points)	36.6% (±0.5 points)	41.9%
Median share of income	24.2% (±2.3 points)	22.0% (±1.7 points)	28.1% (±0.2 points)	30.6%
Median renter household income	$38,423 (±$2,787)	$46,553 (±$4,424)	$43,288 (±$509)	$52,966
Median gross rent	$802 (±$36)	$834 (±$25)	$1,033 (±$6)	$1,413

In Jefferson City, the share of renters paying 30% or more of income is not measurably different from Cole County (34.6%).

It is not measurably different from Missouri (45.6%).

It is lower than the national figure (51.1%).

In Cole County, Jefferson City ranks 2 of 8 places with a published estimate, from highest to lowest share of renters paying 30% or more of income.

Statewide, it ranks 500 of 1,105.

Rankings use the estimates alone; where margins of error overlap, neighboring ranks may not truly differ.

Renters paying 30% or more of income in places near Jefferson City

Nearest places with a published estimate, compared with Jefferson City
Place	Distance	Renters paying 30% or more of income	Compared with this place
Jefferson City	—	40.3% (±5.7 points)	—
Wardsville	5.2 mi	19.3% (±23.8 points)	Not measurably different
Holts Summit	6.5 mi	32.8% (±22.3 points)	Not measurably different
Taos	6.5 mi	32.4% (±55.0 points)	Not measurably different
St. Martins	8.9 mi	34.4% (±23.7 points)	Not measurably different
Lohman	10 mi	0.0% (±105.5 points)	Not measurably different
New Bloomfield	11 mi	25.8% (±20.0 points)	Not measurably different
Hartsburg	11 mi	30.0% (±75.9 points)	Not measurably different
Westphalia	13 mi	30.3% (±23.9 points)	Not measurably different

None of the nearby places differs measurably from this one on this figure.

Distance is measured in a straight line between the Census Bureau’s internal points for each place.

Renters paying 30% or more of income across Cole County, place by place

Rank	Place	Renters paying 30% or more of income
1	Russellville	64.8% (±37.7 points)
2	Jefferson City	40.3% (±5.7 points)
3	St. Martins	34.4% (±23.7 points)
4	Taos	32.4% (±55.0 points)
5	Centertown	25.0% (±85.4 points)
6	Wardsville	19.3% (±23.8 points)
7 (tie)	Lohman	0.0% (±105.5 points)
7 (tie)	St. Thomas	0.0% (±137.6 points)

Survey years: 2020–2024 (American Community Survey 5-year estimates).

Margins of error are at the 90% confidence level.

What you can do on Seayora in Jefferson City

One account for renting, owning, managing and fixing homes, with these figures beside you.

Looking for a place to rent?

Browse homes for rent near Jefferson City, save the ones you like and apply online.

Browse rentals · Create a renter account

Own or manage a rental?

List it, sign the lease and collect rent online, with the figures for Jefferson City beside you.

Create a landlord account · See what landlords get

Do repairs, renovations or maintenance?

Get found by owners and renters near Jefferson City, and send estimates and invoices from your phone.

Join as a pro · Find a pro

Questions about Jefferson City

Are renters in Jefferson City rent-burdened?

40.3% of renting households in Jefferson City pay 30% or more of their income in gross rent, the share housing researchers usually call rent-burdened (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

What share of income do renters in Jefferson City spend on rent?

The median renting household in Jefferson City, MO spends 24.2% (±2.3 points) of its household income on gross rent.

Sources

To check these figures in the Census Bureau’s own API, request the variables below from the 2024 ACS 5-year data profile (acs/acs5/profile) and detailed tables (acs/acs5) for Jefferson City city, Missouri (place:37000, in state:29).

Each estimate (E or PE) has a margin of error beside it (M or PM).

The API needs a free key.

Request a Census API key.

DP04_0136E, DP04_0136M, DP04_0137PE, DP04_0137PM, DP04_0138PE, DP04_0138PM, DP04_0139PE, DP04_0139PM, DP04_0140PE, DP04_0140PM, DP04_0141PE, DP04_0141PM, DP04_0142PE, DP04_0142PM, B25071_001E, B25071_001M, B25119_003E, B25119_003M

This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

Figures are published by the US Census Bureau, HUD, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the FBI; Seayora reproduces them and does not adjust them, except where a sentence says it compares dollar figures after inflation. They describe the whole place, not any one building or street, and are not an appraisal, a rent determination, a tax bill, a safety rating or legal advice.