Is it cheaper to live in Idaho Falls or Jackson?

Idaho Falls, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 3% below Jackson, MS's $1,000, mainly because of natural gas costs.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Idaho Falls or Jackson?

Idaho Falls is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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).

Idaho Falls vs Jackson Cost of Living 2026

Idaho Falls

Idaho

$970/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 $970 in Idaho Falls, ID versus $1,000 in Jackson, MS. Overall, Idaho Falls, ID is roughly 3% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Jackson, MS, driven mainly by natural gas costs.

Median household income is $69,630 in Idaho Falls, ID and $43,238 in Jackson, MS — about 38% higher in Idaho Falls, ID. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax.

Idaho Falls, ID

Jackson, MS

Rent

Studio

$818

$1,085

+33% in Jackson, MS

1 Bedroom

$827

$816

+1% in Idaho Falls, ID

2 Bedroom

$957

$991

+4% in Jackson, MS

3 Bedroom

$1,278

$1,121

+12% in Idaho Falls, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$298,600

$108,200

+64% in Idaho Falls, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$69,630

$43,238

+38% in Idaho Falls, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,800

$42,850

+8% in Idaho Falls, ID

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.5 yr

34.7 yr

+1.2 yr in Jackson, MS

Homeownership

64.1%

48.6%

+15.5 pp in Idaho Falls, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

31.0%

28.6%

+2.4 pp in Idaho Falls, ID

Avg Commute

18.2 min

20.2 min

+2.0 min in Jackson, MS

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

365.3

—

Property Crime

1,235.5

—

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

44.2°F

65.3°F

+21.1°F in Jackson, MS

Annual Precipitation

10.4 in

54.3 in

+43.9 in in Jackson, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.27/gal

$3.62/gal

+15% in Idaho Falls, ID

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.4

14.9

+4% in Jackson, MS

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.33

$29.04

+156% in Jackson, MS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.00

+17% in Idaho Falls, ID

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.75

+14% in Idaho Falls, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Jackson, MS

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.45

+12% in Idaho Falls, ID

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$1.90

+6% in Idaho Falls, ID

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Idaho Falls, ID

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ID / MS)

+1.0 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

5.30%

4.00%

+1.3 pp in ID

Idaho Falls vs Jackson — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Idaho Falls or Jackson?: Idaho Falls, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 3% below Jackson, MS's $1,000, mainly because of natural gas costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Idaho Falls than in Jackson?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Idaho Falls versus $33,000 in Jackson.
Which has lower taxes, Idaho Falls or Jackson?: Idaho Falls is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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).