Cost of Living in Jefferson, GA

Population 14,249 · Georgia · Data vintage 2023

96
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Jefferson sits on the smaller end of the Georgia city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 2.8% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Located 20 miles northwest of Athens-Clarke County, Jefferson falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 28% higher than Athens-Clarke County's $272,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 114
Rent 69

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Jefferson

The median home value in Jefferson is $346,800 — 14% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $906/month, 31% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $96,761/year is 30% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.8%, below the national average of 4.8%. Georgia's top state income tax rate is 5.5% and the combined sales tax is 7.3%. Overall, Jefferson has a cost of living index of 96 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 4% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$346,800
14% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$411,429
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$906/mo
31% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,865/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
31.9x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
0.9%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$773
1 BR
$817
2 BR
$984
3 BR
$1,289
4 BR
$1,520
Owner-occupied 77.3%
Renter-occupied 22.7%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$906
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,520/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
37.0 min
37% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
12.0%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
78.7%
Carpooled
7.8%
Public transit
0.2%
Walked
0.1%
Work from home
12.0%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) 5.5%
Total Sales Tax 7.3%
State rate 4.0%
Avg local rate 3.4%
Property Tax 0.9%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$96,761
30% above avg
Per Capita Income
$37,129
Unemployment Rate
2.8%
43% below avg
Poverty Rate
9.4%
Labor Force Participation
70.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 23.0%
Graduate degree 10.8%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 34.8
Male median age 31.9
Female median age 37.7

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

95.6%
4-Year Graduation Rate
15.2:1
Student-teacher ratio
14
Public schools
12,308
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Jefferson, GA?

Jefferson has a cost index of 96 (100 = national average). It is 4% below the national average.

What is average rent in Jefferson, GA?

The median gross rent in Jefferson is $906 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Jefferson?

The median home value in Jefferson is $346,800 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Jefferson?

The median household income in Jefferson is $96,761 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Jefferson, GA?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Jefferson is 7.3%. The Georgia state income tax top rate is 5.5%.

Is Jefferson, GA affordable?

Jefferson is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 96 (100 = US average).

Jefferson at a Glance

Population
14,249
Median Income
$96,761
Home Value
$346,800
Median Rent
$906/mo
Unemployment
2.8%
Sales Tax
7.3%
View all cities in Georgia →
🗺️ County data for Georgia

Explore county-level cost of living data

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