Is it cheaper to live in Columbia or Jackson?

Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,000 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% below Columbia, SC's $1,220, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Columbia versus $33,000 in Jackson.

Which has lower taxes, Columbia or Jackson?

Columbia is taxed under South Carolina's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% 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).

Columbia vs Jackson Cost of Living 2026

Columbia

South Carolina

$1,220/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 $1,220 in Columbia, SC versus $1,000 in Jackson, MS. Overall, Jackson, MS is roughly 18% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Columbia, SC, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $55,653 in Columbia, SC and $43,238 in Jackson, MS — about 22% higher in Columbia, SC. South Carolina has a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax; Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax.

Columbia, SC

Jackson, MS

Rent

Studio

$802

$1,085

+35% in Jackson, MS

1 Bedroom

$1,026

$816

+20% in Columbia, SC

2 Bedroom

$1,164

$991

+15% in Columbia, SC

3 Bedroom

$1,338

$1,121

+16% in Columbia, SC

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$243,500

$108,200

+56% in Columbia, SC

Income

Median Household Income

$55,653

$43,238

+22% in Columbia, SC

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,430

$42,850

+8% in Columbia, SC

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

28.7 yr

34.7 yr

+6.0 yr in Jackson, MS

Homeownership

47.3%

48.6%

+1.3 pp in Jackson, MS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.1%

28.6%

+17.5 pp in Columbia, SC

Avg Commute

17.4 min

20.2 min

+2.8 min in Jackson, MS

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

769.9

—

Property Crime

3,265.1

—

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

64.9°F

65.3°F

+0.4°F in Jackson, MS

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

54.3 in

+8.9 in in Jackson, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.62/gal

+8% in Columbia, SC

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.6

14.9

+4% in Columbia, SC

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$29.07

$29.04

+0% in Columbia, SC

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 (SC / MS)

+1.0 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

6.00%

4.00%

+2.0 pp in SC

Columbia vs Jackson — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Columbia or Jackson?: Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,000 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% below Columbia, SC's $1,220, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Columbia than in Jackson?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Columbia versus $33,000 in Jackson.
Which has lower taxes, Columbia or Jackson?: Columbia is taxed under South Carolina's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% 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).