Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Jackson?

Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 20% below Boise, ID's $1,260, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $33,000 in Jackson.

Which has lower taxes, Boise or Jackson?

Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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).

Boise vs Jackson Cost of Living 2026

Boise

Idaho

$1,260/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 $1,260 in Boise, ID versus $1,010 in Jackson, MS. Overall, Jackson, MS is roughly 20% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boise, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,308 in Boise, ID and $43,238 in Jackson, MS — about 47% higher in Boise, ID. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax.

Boise, ID

Jackson, MS

Rent

Studio

$1,021

$1,085

+6% in Jackson, MS

1 Bedroom

$1,133

$816

+28% in Boise, ID

2 Bedroom

$1,342

$991

+26% in Boise, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,749

$1,121

+36% in Boise, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$456,000

$108,200

+76% in Boise, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$81,308

$43,238

+47% in Boise, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,100

$42,850

+13% in Boise, ID

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

34.7 yr

+3.5 yr in Boise, ID

Homeownership

63.0%

48.6%

+14.4 pp in Boise, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.6%

28.6%

+18.0 pp in Boise, ID

Avg Commute

19.1 min

20.2 min

+1.1 min in Jackson, MS

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

301

—

Property Crime

1,135.1

—

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

52.5°F

65.3°F

+12.8°F in Jackson, MS

Annual Precipitation

11.7 in

54.3 in

+42.6 in in Jackson, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.29/gal

$3.62/gal

+15% in Boise, ID

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

12.3

16.2

+31% in Jackson, MS

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$10.82

$27.68

+156% in Jackson, MS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.00

+17% in Boise, ID

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.75

+14% in Boise, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Jackson, MS

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.45

+12% in Boise, ID

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$1.90

+6% in Boise, ID

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Boise, ID

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ID / MS)

+1.0 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

5.30%

4.00%

+1.3 pp in ID

Boise vs Jackson — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Jackson?: Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 20% below Boise, ID's $1,260, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boise than in Jackson?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $33,000 in Jackson.
Which has lower taxes, Boise or Jackson?: Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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).