Cost of Living in Jefferson County, Arkansas
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How Jefferson County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Jefferson County ranks #1,200 of 3,142 counties for affordability (top 38%)
Sourced county brief
Jefferson County median gross rent exceeds state unweighted mean
Jefferson County median gross rent was estimated at $888 per month. This figure is higher than the Arkansas unweighted county mean of $774. The median selected monthly owner cost for all owner-occupied units was $671, which is above the state unweighted county mean of $663. Median home value in the county was $113,400, while the state unweighted county mean was $141,465. Renter-households had a median income of $38,154. The official ACS B25071 median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) was 28.2%. This canonical percentage is 0.2 percentage points lower than the Arkansas unweighted county mean GRAPI of 28.4%. This snapshot analysis utilizes data from the 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year Estimates. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: Jefferson County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 28.2% of renter household income in Jefferson County, which is below the 30% affordability benchmark. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $888 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $671. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $35,520 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The Arkansas unweighted mean of county median rents is $774 per month. Jefferson County's $888 median is 14.7% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Jefferson County
Rent Burden
20.9%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,192
per month
Owner Cost Burden
15.8%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Jefferson County
Median home value is $113,400. Estimated monthly cost: $905 vs. your max of $1,192.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Jefferson County, Arkansas?
What is the median rent in Jefferson County?
Is Jefferson County affordable?
How does Jefferson County's rent compare to the state average?
What is the median home value in Jefferson County?
Counties with Similar Housing Costs
Planning a Move?
Researching the cost of living in Jefferson County, Arkansas? Compare moving quotes from top providers and save on your relocation.
Compare Moving QuotesCompare Mortgage Rates in Jefferson County
Whether you're buying in Jefferson County, Arkansas, or refinancing, compare rates from top lenders using the terms each lender provides.
See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
CostByCounty participates in affiliate programs. We may earn a commission when you use our links, at no extra cost to you.