Jefferson City 83 Exceptional
Jefferson City Livability #7 ranked city in Missouri#838 ranked city in the USARanks better than 97% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Jefferson City

PROS
  • Amenities Amenities

    Within the vicinity, you'll find a wealth of amenities, from restaurants and coffee shops to grocery stores and local shops, all easily accessible on foot.

  • Commute Commute

    High scores in the commute category could indicate that this area offers short commute times to work and readily available public transportation options.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Residents in this area benefit from an affordable cost of living. This includes goods and services, transportation, housing, utilities, groceries and healthcare.

  • Housing Housing

    The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Earning a high health and safety score depends on factors such as good air quality and the availability of essential health facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors, and fire stations.

CONS
  • Nothing Found Nothing Found

    This area did not exhibit any cons, as none of the categories were rated low enough.

What's it like Living in Jefferson City?

Jefferson City is a mid-sized city located in the state of Missouri. The city has a population of 43,647 people. If we look at the most recent Census, Jefferson City is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Black and Asian. All the single ladies and all the single fellas might want to take notice as only 49% of the Jefferson City population is married. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Jefferson City is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 16 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Are you trying to ascertain if living in Jefferson City is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a good experience before moving to any new city in Missouri, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. To help you find the best places to live in and around Jefferson City, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like crime, cost of living, commute, education and more.

With a livability score of 82/100, Jefferson City is ranked #888 in the United States and #9 in Missouri. Pack your bags! This is a very high score in comparison to other US cities. Living in Jefferson City could be a great choice! Another exciting tidbit, is that Jefferson City ranks better than 90% of all US cities! Based on the grades for each individual category, Jefferson City has been rewarded with high marks for amenities (A), cost of living (A+), education (B-) and housing (A+).

Jefferson City has many conveniently situated amenities and captivating attractions that adds to the continuous enjoyment of your everyday life. Having the assurance of abundant conveniences and a wide array of activities ensures your easy access to nearby grocery stores, restaurants, bars, fitness facilities, coffee shops and exciting entertainment options. This not only simplifies daily routines but also fosters a vibrant and dynamic lifestyle within the community. With a wealth of resources at your fingertips, you can savor the convenience and variety that Jefferson City has to offer, making it a desirable destination for those seeking both accessibility and enjoyment in their daily lives. Here are some of the more popular things to do in Jefferson City: Missouri State Capitol, Missouri State Penitentiary, and Cole County Historical Museum.

The Jefferson City unemployment rate of 2.4% has continued to decrease over the years and is now well below the national average. The result could lead to reduced poverty and inequality in the area, higher wages and increased economic growth. This is a positive sign in the overall health of the local economy.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Jefferson City excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Jefferson City is actually affordable. The median home price for Jefferson City homes is $283,871, which is 13.8% higher than the Missouri average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Jefferson City, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.5, which is 2.9% higher than the Missouri average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Jefferson City

See all the best places to live around Jefferson City

How Do You Rate The Livability In Jefferson City?

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Compare Jefferson City, MO Livability

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      Jefferson City transportation information

      Statistic Jefferson City Missouri National
      Average one way commute16min23min26min
      Workers who drive to work83.7%81.6%76.4%
      Workers who carpool7.9%9.1%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.7%1.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.1%0.3%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.0%1.9%2.8%
      Working from home4.3%4.6%4.6%
      Source: The Jefferson City, MO data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.