Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Jackson?

Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 6% below Columbus, GA's $1,080, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Columbus versus $33,000 in Jackson.

Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Jackson?

Columbus 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).

Columbus vs Jackson Cost of Living 2026

Columbus

Georgia

$1,080/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 $1,080 in Columbus, GA versus $1,010 in Jackson, MS. Overall, Jackson, MS is roughly 6% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Columbus, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $56,622 in Columbus, GA and $43,238 in Jackson, MS — about 24% higher in Columbus, 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.

Columbus, GA

Jackson, MS

Rent

Studio

$826

$1,085

+31% in Jackson, MS

1 Bedroom

$875

$816

+7% in Columbus, GA

2 Bedroom

$991

about equal

3 Bedroom

$1,221

$1,121

+8% in Columbus, GA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$182,300

$108,200

+41% in Columbus, GA

Income

Median Household Income

$56,622

$43,238

+24% in Columbus, GA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$43,540

$42,850

+2% in Columbus, GA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.1 yr

34.7 yr

+0.4 yr in Columbus, GA

Homeownership

50.2%

48.6%

+1.6 pp in Columbus, GA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

29.7%

28.6%

+1.1 pp in Columbus, GA

Avg Commute

20.2 min

about equal

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

612.3

—

Property Crime

2,273.4

—

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

65.7°F

65.3°F

+0.4°F in Columbus, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.8 in

54.3 in

+7.6 in in Jackson, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.62/gal

+6% in Columbus, GA

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.8

16.2

+2% in Jackson, MS

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$27.68

+17% in Columbus, 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

Columbus vs Jackson — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Jackson?: Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 6% below Columbus, GA's $1,080, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Columbus than in Jackson?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Columbus versus $33,000 in Jackson.
Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Jackson?: Columbus 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).