Cost of living in Cole County, MO
Part of the Jefferson City Metro Area
Population 76,924 · Last updated May 21, 2026
Cost breakdown
Single person, by category, per month.
Rent in Cole County
Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.
Source: HUD FMR FY2025
Income and earnings in Cole County
Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.
Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.
Home values in Cole County
Average values reported by homeowners.
Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
Energy costs in Cole County
Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.
Source: EIA
Healthcare in Cole County
Insurance premiums and coverage rates.
Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.
Taxes in Cole County
State and local tax rates for Missouri.
Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.
Transportation in Cole County
Commute patterns and estimated costs.
Source: ACS
Monthly cost estimates for Cole County
What it costs to live in Cole County each month.
- Rent $681
- Energy $194
- Water $50
- Groceries $313
- Transport $320
- Healthcare $480
- Federal tax $522
- State tax $154
- Rent $891
- Energy $233
- Water $60
- Groceries $519
- Transport $420
- Healthcare $864
- Federal tax $869
- State tax $279
- Rent $1,249
- Energy $291
- Water $70
- Groceries $787
- Transport $520
- Healthcare $1,350
- Childcare $1,200
- Federal tax $869
- State tax $279
Frequently asked questions about Cole County
Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.
What is the average rent in Cole County?
In Cole County, MO, a one-bedroom apartment averages $681 per month, a two-bedroom averages $891 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,249 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.
What is the average salary in Cole County?
In Cole County, MO, the average household income is $73,273 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $41,956 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.
What is the cost of living in Cole County?
The estimated cost of living in Cole County, MO is approximately $2,714 per month for a single person, $4,135 for a couple, $6,615 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.
What is the sales tax rate in Cole County?
The combined sales tax rate in Cole County, MO is 8.29%, which includes the Missouri state rate of 4.22% plus an average local rate of 4.06%.
Is Cole County an affordable place to live?
Based on the data, a single person in Cole County, MO would need approximately $2,714 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $73,273 per year ($6,106 per month). Cole County is relatively affordable compared to the national average.
How much does healthcare cost in Cole County?
The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Cole County, MO is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 6.7% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.
What are house prices in Cole County?
The average home value in Cole County, MO is $214,400, with average annual property taxes of $1,728, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.
How does Cole County compare to other areas?
You can compare Cole County, MO with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Cole County is in the Jefferson City, MO metro area.
Other counties in Missouri
Browse the full list of counties in Missouri, ranked by cost of living.
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About this data
All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.
- HUD FMR FY2025
- ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
- EIA
- ACS + national avg
- ACS
- USDA + BEA RPP