Is it cheaper to live in Cambridge or Jackson?

Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,000 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 64% below Cambridge, MA's $2,810, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $100,000 a year in Cambridge versus $33,000 in Jackson.

Which has lower taxes, Cambridge or Jackson?

Cambridge is taxed under Massachusetts's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Jackson under Mississippi's (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax).

Cambridge vs Jackson Cost of Living 2026

Cambridge

Massachusetts

$2,810/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 $2,810 in Cambridge, MA versus $1,000 in Jackson, MS. Overall, Jackson, MS is roughly 64% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Cambridge, MA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $126,469 in Cambridge, MA and $43,238 in Jackson, MS — about 66% higher in Cambridge, MA. Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax.

Cambridge, MA

Jackson, MS

Rent

Studio

$2,236

$1,085

+51% in Cambridge, MA

1 Bedroom

$2,496

$816

+67% in Cambridge, MA

2 Bedroom

$2,980

$991

+67% in Cambridge, MA

3 Bedroom

$3,325

$1,121

+66% in Cambridge, MA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$1,040,500

$108,200

+90% in Cambridge, MA

Income

Median Household Income

$126,469

$43,238

+66% in Cambridge, MA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$66,620

$42,850

+36% in Cambridge, MA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

30.5 yr

34.7 yr

+4.2 yr in Jackson, MS

Homeownership

33.7%

48.6%

+14.9 pp in Jackson, MS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

80.2%

28.6%

+51.6 pp in Cambridge, MA

Avg Commute

26.1 min

20.2 min

+5.9 min in Cambridge, MA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

436.7

—

Property Crime

2,657.6

—

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

51.5°F

65.3°F

+13.8°F in Jackson, MS

Annual Precipitation

43.8 in

54.3 in

+10.5 in in Jackson, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.07/gal

$3.62/gal

+11% in Cambridge, MA

Area: Massachusetts vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

29.6

14.9

+50% in Cambridge, MA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$30.66

$29.04

+5% in Cambridge, MA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Cambridge, MA

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$1.75

+9% in Cambridge, MA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Jackson, MS

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.45

+6% in Cambridge, MA

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$1.90

+13% in Cambridge, MA

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Cambridge, MA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MA / MS)

6.25%

+0.8 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

9.00%

4.00%

+5.0 pp in MA

Cambridge vs Jackson — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cambridge or Jackson?: Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,000 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 64% below Cambridge, MA's $2,810, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cambridge than in Jackson?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $100,000 a year in Cambridge versus $33,000 in Jackson.
Which has lower taxes, Cambridge or Jackson?: Cambridge is taxed under Massachusetts's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% 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).