Cost of Living in Jefferson County, Georgia
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 #643 of 3,142 counties for affordability (top 20%)
Sourced county brief
Jefferson County Median Rent-to-Income Ratio Estimated at 23.0 Percent
The official Gross Rent as a Percentage of Household Income (GRAPI) in Jefferson County was estimated at 23.0% according to the latest ACS 5-year data. This official GRAPI value is 5.6 percentage points below the Georgia unweighted county mean of 28.6%. The median gross rent in the county was $731 per month, which is $234 lower than the state’s unweighted county mean of $965. Median monthly owner costs for all owner-occupied housing units were $709, while the median home value was $105,400. In comparison, the Georgia unweighted county means for owner costs and home values were $905 and $197,933, respectively. Among renter households, the median income was $36,591. These figures provide a snapshot of housing costs and income within the county for the 2020-2024 period. 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 23.0% 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 $731 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $709. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $29,240 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 Georgia unweighted mean of county median rents is $965 per month. Jefferson County's $731 median is 24.3% below 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
16.5%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,237
per month
Owner Cost Burden
16.0%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Jefferson County
Median home value is $105,400. Estimated monthly cost: $841 vs. your max of $1,237.
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, Georgia?
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, Georgia? 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, Georgia, 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.