Cost of Living in Jefferson County, Indiana
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 #1,790 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 43%)
Sourced county brief
Jefferson County Median Gross Rent Snapshot at $890
According to the 2020-2024 ACS estimates, median gross rent in Jefferson County was $890, which is below the Indiana unweighted county mean of $911. The median home value in the county was $194,600, which is $2,701 above the state unweighted county mean of $191,899. For all owner-occupied housing units, the median selected monthly owner cost was $903. Renter households reported a median income of $42,473. The official ACS B25071 estimate for median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) was 27.2%. This canonical rentToIncomePct is 0.3 percentage points higher than the Indiana unweighted county mean of 26.9%. These figures describe local housing conditions at the time of the survey and do not imply future changes in market values or household affordability. 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 27.2% 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 $890 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $903. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $35,600 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 Indiana unweighted mean of county median rents is $911 per month. Jefferson County's $890 median is 2.3% 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)
$1,507
per month
Owner Cost Burden
16.8%
of gross income
The median home in Jefferson County may be a stretch
Median home value is $194,600. Estimated monthly cost: $1,554 vs. your max of $1,507.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
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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
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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.
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