Is it cheaper to live in Fresno or Jackson?

Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 26% below Fresno, CA's $1,370, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Fresno versus $33,000 in Jackson.

Which has lower taxes, Fresno or Jackson?

Fresno is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Jackson under Mississippi's (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax).

Fresno vs Jackson Cost of Living 2026

Fresno

California

$1,370/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 $1,370 in Fresno, CA versus $1,010 in Jackson, MS. Overall, Jackson, MS is roughly 26% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Fresno, CA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $66,804 in Fresno, CA and $43,238 in Jackson, MS — about 35% higher in Fresno, CA. California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax; Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax.

Fresno, CA

Jackson, MS

Rent

Studio

$1,072

$1,085

+1% in Jackson, MS

1 Bedroom

$1,042

$816

+22% in Fresno, CA

2 Bedroom

$1,293

$991

+23% in Fresno, CA

3 Bedroom

$1,688

$1,121

+34% in Fresno, CA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$348,500

$108,200

+69% in Fresno, CA

Income

Median Household Income

$66,804

$43,238

+35% in Fresno, CA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,910

$42,850

+9% in Fresno, CA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.4 yr

34.7 yr

+2.3 yr in Jackson, MS

Homeownership

49.7%

48.6%

+1.1 pp in Fresno, CA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

24.9%

28.6%

+3.7 pp in Jackson, MS

Avg Commute

22.3 min

20.2 min

+2.1 min in Fresno, CA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

742.2

—

Property Crime

3,335.3

—

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

64.4°F

65.3°F

+0.9°F in Jackson, MS

Annual Precipitation

11.5 in

54.3 in

+42.8 in in Jackson, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.40/gal

$3.62/gal

+33% in Fresno, CA

Area: California vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$1.25

—

Adult base one-way fare — FAX vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

33.3

16.2

+51% in Fresno, CA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.72

$27.68

+34% in Jackson, MS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.00

+17% in Fresno, CA

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.75

+14% in Fresno, CA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Jackson, MS

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.45

+12% in Fresno, CA

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$1.90

+6% in Fresno, CA

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Fresno, CA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CA / MS)

7.25%

+0.3 pp in CA

Income Tax (top rate)

13.30%

4.00%

+9.3 pp in CA

Fresno vs Jackson — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Fresno or Jackson?: Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 26% below Fresno, CA's $1,370, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Fresno than in Jackson?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Fresno versus $33,000 in Jackson.
Which has lower taxes, Fresno or Jackson?: Fresno is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% 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).