Is it cheaper to live in Des Moines or Jackson?

Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 1% below Des Moines, IA's $1,020, mainly because of rent.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Des Moines or Jackson?

Des Moines is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% 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).

Des Moines vs Jackson Cost of Living 2026

Des Moines

Iowa

$1,020/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 $1,020 in Des Moines, IA versus $1,010 in Jackson, MS. Overall, Jackson, MS is roughly 1% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Des Moines, IA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,966 in Des Moines, IA and $43,238 in Jackson, MS — about 32% higher in Des Moines, IA. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax; Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax.

Des Moines, IA

Jackson, MS

Rent

Studio

$870

$1,085

+25% in Jackson, MS

1 Bedroom

$870

$816

+6% in Des Moines, IA

2 Bedroom

$1,099

$991

+10% in Des Moines, IA

3 Bedroom

$1,334

$1,121

+16% in Des Moines, IA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$183,700

$108,200

+41% in Des Moines, IA

Income

Median Household Income

$63,966

$43,238

+32% in Des Moines, IA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,820

$42,850

+17% in Des Moines, IA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.6 yr

34.7 yr

+0.1 yr in Jackson, MS

Homeownership

60.4%

48.6%

+11.8 pp in Des Moines, IA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

29.0%

28.6%

+0.4 pp in Des Moines, IA

Avg Commute

19.6 min

20.2 min

+0.6 min in Jackson, MS

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

707.3

—

Property Crime

3,156.6

—

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

50.9°F

65.3°F

+14.4°F in Jackson, MS

Annual Precipitation

36.0 in

54.3 in

+18.3 in in Jackson, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.62/gal

+8% in Des Moines, IA

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

16.2

+14% in Jackson, MS

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.72

$27.68

+76% in Jackson, MS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Des Moines, IA

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in Jackson, MS

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Des Moines, IA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Des Moines, IA

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Des Moines, IA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IA / MS)

+1.0 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

3.80%

4.00%

+0.2 pp in MS

Des Moines vs Jackson — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Des Moines or Jackson?: Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 1% below Des Moines, IA's $1,020, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Des Moines than in Jackson?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Des Moines versus $33,000 in Jackson.
Which has lower taxes, Des Moines or Jackson?: Des Moines is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% 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).