Jefferson City, MO Homes For Rent

Homes for Rent in Jefferson City, MO: What You Need to Know

Jefferson City is the capital of Missouri. Located along the Missouri River, it’s known for its picturesque tree-lined bluffs and small-town charm.

Things to Do in Town

The Katy Trail State Park offers a great place for biking and hiking. The trail itself spans 225 miles between St. Charles and Clinton, Missouri, and offers stunning scenery. The Missouri State Penitentiary attracts the most curious of tourists. Among the prison’s notorious inmates was James Earl Ray, convicted of assassinating civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., and heavyweight champion Sonny Liston, who learned how to box while he was in this prison. The facility, which opened in 1836, was decommissioned in 2004.

Schools and Higher Education

Jefferson City is home to Lincoln University (2,478 students), a four-year public university. Members of the 62nd Colored Infantry were instrumental to the university’s establishment in 1866. Initially called Lincoln Institute, the university was created for the benefit of freed African Americans. There are 36 other universities within 100 miles of the city. The Jefferson City School District has 17 public schools serving 9,067 students. Top-ranked schools include Jefferson City High School and Clarence Lawson Elementary School.

Cost of Living

For a state capital, Jefferson City (population: 42,708) is very reasonable, with median gross rent at $634. The city’s cost of living rate, food, and housing costs are 8.8%, 0.3%, and 15.1% lower than the national average respectively. Missouri residents pay a progressive income tax of 0% to 5.40% and 4.225% in sales tax.

Know Your Neighborhoods

Rand McNally once chose Jefferson City as the "Most Beautiful Small Town." Residents love the great amenities and friendly people. The downside: traffic can be heavy because of all the government agencies in the city. For more entertainment and activities, Columbia isn’t too far. Families that prefer the suburbs are drawn to Wardsville and Taos for their superb schools. Both towns are a short drive from Jefferson City. 

Weather and Climate

Missouri experiences more than 30 tornadoes a year with a little less than 50% of them occurring in April and May. An EF3 tornado, with winds reaching 160 miles per hour, hit Jefferson City on May 22, 2019. The twister injured over 20 people and damaged many homes and businesses. The city gets 43 inches of rain annually versus the national average of 38 inches, and only 14 inches of snow per year compared with the U.S. average of 28 inches.