Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Jackson?

Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 43% below Atlanta, GA's $1,780, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $33,000 in Jackson.

Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Jackson?

Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Jackson under Mississippi's (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax).

Atlanta vs Jackson Cost of Living 2026

Atlanta

Georgia

$1,780/mo est.

Jackson

Mississippi

$1,010/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,780 in Atlanta, GA versus $1,010 in Jackson, MS. Overall, Jackson, MS is roughly 43% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Atlanta, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,938 in Atlanta, GA and $43,238 in Jackson, MS — about 47% higher in Atlanta, GA. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax.

Atlanta, GA

Jackson, MS

Rent

Studio

$1,669

$1,085

+35% in Atlanta, GA

1 Bedroom

$1,576

$816

+48% in Atlanta, GA

2 Bedroom

$1,701

$991

+42% in Atlanta, GA

3 Bedroom

$1,557

$1,121

+28% in Atlanta, GA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$420,600

$108,200

+74% in Atlanta, GA

Income

Median Household Income

$81,938

$43,238

+47% in Atlanta, GA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,170

$42,850

+16% in Atlanta, GA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.0 yr

34.7 yr

+0.7 yr in Jackson, MS

Homeownership

46.3%

48.6%

+2.3 pp in Jackson, MS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

58.4%

28.6%

+29.8 pp in Atlanta, GA

Avg Commute

26.8 min

20.2 min

+6.6 min in Atlanta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

603.7

—

Property Crime

3,548.3

—

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

62.6°F

65.3°F

+2.7°F in Jackson, MS

Annual Precipitation

49.7 in

54.3 in

+4.6 in in Jackson, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.62/gal

+6% in Atlanta, GA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

—

Adult base one-way fare — MARTA vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.8

16.2

+2% in Jackson, MS

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$27.68

+17% in Atlanta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.75

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / MS)

+3.0 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

4.00%

+1.2 pp in GA

Atlanta vs Jackson — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Jackson?: Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 43% below Atlanta, GA's $1,780, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Atlanta than in Jackson?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $33,000 in Jackson.
Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Jackson?: Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% 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).