Is it cheaper to live in Ann Arbor or Jackson?

Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,000 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 39% below Ann Arbor, MI's $1,630, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Ann Arbor than in Jackson?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $56,000 a year in Ann Arbor versus $33,000 in Jackson.

Which has lower taxes, Ann Arbor or Jackson?

Ann Arbor is taxed under Michigan's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax); Jackson under Mississippi's (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax).

Ann Arbor vs Jackson Cost of Living 2026

Ann Arbor

Michigan

$1,630/mo est.

Jackson

Mississippi

$1,000/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,630 in Ann Arbor, MI versus $1,000 in Jackson, MS. Overall, Jackson, MS is roughly 39% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Ann Arbor, MI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,089 in Ann Arbor, MI and $43,238 in Jackson, MS — about 47% higher in Ann Arbor, MI. Michigan has a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax; Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax.

Ann Arbor, MI

Jackson, MS

Rent

Studio

$1,274

$1,085

+15% in Ann Arbor, MI

1 Bedroom

$1,389

$816

+41% in Ann Arbor, MI

2 Bedroom

$1,692

$991

+41% in Ann Arbor, MI

3 Bedroom

$1,812

$1,121

+38% in Ann Arbor, MI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$435,100

$108,200

+75% in Ann Arbor, MI

Income

Median Household Income

$81,089

$43,238

+47% in Ann Arbor, MI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$55,380

$42,850

+23% in Ann Arbor, MI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

27.7 yr

34.7 yr

+7.0 yr in Jackson, MS

Homeownership

45.6%

48.6%

+3.0 pp in Jackson, MS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

77.7%

28.6%

+49.1 pp in Ann Arbor, MI

Avg Commute

19.9 min

20.2 min

+0.3 min in Jackson, MS

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

311

—

Property Crime

1,744.5

—

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

47.7°F

65.3°F

+17.6°F in Jackson, MS

Annual Precipitation

32.8 in

54.3 in

+21.5 in in Jackson, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.62/gal

+6% in Ann Arbor, MI

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.0

14.9

+35% in Ann Arbor, MI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.72

$29.04

+47% in Jackson, MS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Ann Arbor, MI

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in Jackson, MS

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Ann Arbor, MI

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Ann Arbor, MI

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Ann Arbor, MI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

Average prices — Midwest vs South (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MI / MS)

+1.0 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

4.25%

4.00%

+0.3 pp in MI

Ann Arbor vs Jackson — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Ann Arbor or Jackson?: Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,000 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 39% below Ann Arbor, MI's $1,630, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Ann Arbor than in Jackson?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $56,000 a year in Ann Arbor versus $33,000 in Jackson.
Which has lower taxes, Ann Arbor or Jackson?: Ann Arbor is taxed under Michigan's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax); Jackson under Mississippi's (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).