Is Jackson expensive to live in?

Jackson is among the more affordable of the 112 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $816 per month ranks #101 of 112 and is 24% lower than the $1,080 median.

What is the average rent in Jackson?

Average rent in Jackson, MS runs a studio around $1,085, a one-bedroom around $816, a two-bedroom around $991, a three-bedroom around $1,121 per month (US Census ACS).

How much do you need to earn to live in Jackson?

To keep a one-bedroom rent of $816 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year. The median household income here is $43,238.

How much does it cost to live in Jackson per month?

A rough monthly baseline for one person in Jackson is about $1,010 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Cost of Living in Jackson, MS

Population 149,827 · Mississippi

~$1,010/mo est.1BR $816Home $108,200

Photo: andrew welch / Unsplash

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The cost of living in Jackson, MS is driven mostly by housing. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $816 a month — 24% lower than the $1,080 median across the 112 large US cities we track. Studios average $1,085 and two-bedrooms $991.

Median household income here is $43,238, 38% lower than the $69,423 median of the cities we track. Adding typical electricity and heating to one-bedroom rent, a rough monthly baseline for one person is about $1,010 before food and transport. Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax.

Rent1BR $816

Studio

$1,085

1 Bedroom

$816

2 Bedroom

$991

3 Bedroom

$1,121

Buying a Home$108,200

Median Home Value

$108,200

Income$43,238

Median Household Income

$43,238

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$42,850

Household income: Census ACS, city. Metro median wage: BLS OEWS, all occupations, 2025 (metro area).

GroceriesSouth

Milk (gal)

$4.00

Bread (lb)

$1.75

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

Average prices, South (BLS, 2026-07-01). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

Utilities16.2¢/kWh

Electricity

16.2¢/kWh

Natural Gas

$27.68/MCF

Residential, state-level averages (EIA, 2026-05-01). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Gas$3.62/gal

Regular Gasoline (Gulf Coast (PADD 3))

$3.62/gal

EIA weekly retail average, week of 2026-08-17.

State Taxes (MS)7% sales

State Sales Tax

State Income Tax (top rate)

Up to 4.00%

State-level rates. Local sales taxes may add more. Income tax shown is the top marginal rate; most filers pay less.

People & LifestyleAge 34.7 yrs

Median Age

34.7 yrs

Homeownership

48.6%

Bachelor's+ (25+)

28.6%

Avg Commute

20.2 min

Climate65.3°F

Avg Annual Temperature

65.3°F

Annual Precipitation

54.3 in

Jackson cost of living — FAQ

Is Jackson expensive to live in?: Jackson is among the more affordable of the 112 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $816 per month ranks #101 of 112 and is 24% lower than the $1,080 median.
What is the average rent in Jackson?: Average rent in Jackson, MS runs a studio around $1,085, a one-bedroom around $816, a two-bedroom around $991, a three-bedroom around $1,121 per month (US Census ACS).
How much do you need to earn to live in Jackson?: To keep a one-bedroom rent of $816 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year. The median household income here is $43,238.
How much does it cost to live in Jackson per month?: A rough monthly baseline for one person in Jackson is about $1,010 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Compare Jackson with nearby cities

Jackson vs Baton Rouge Jackson vs New Orleans Jackson vs Memphis Jackson vs Little Rock Jackson vs Shreveport Jackson vs Birmingham

Nearby cities

Baton Rouge, LA 141 mi New Orleans, LA 162 mi Memphis, TN 197 mi Little Rock, AR 208 mi Shreveport, LA 209 mi Birmingham, AL 213 mi

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981-2010 (climate); EIA (gas, utilities); BLS Average Price Data (groceries) & OEWS (metro wage); transit agencies (fares); FBI Crime Data Explorer (crime); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes). Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + utilities; not a full cost of living.