In jQuery, `.attr()` and `.prop()` are used to access and manipulate different aspects of DOM elements. `.attr()` is used to get or set attributes like `href`, `id`, and `src` as defined in HTML. For example, `$('a').attr('href', 'https://example.com')` sets the `href` attribute. Conversely, `.prop()` is used to work with properties such as `checked`, `disabled`, or `selected`, which reflect the current state of the element. For example, `$('input').prop('checked', true)` sets a checkbox to be checked. `.prop()` is generally used for properties that change dynamically, while `.attr()` is more suited for static attributes.