Is it cheaper to live in Jackson or Las Vegas?

Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below Las Vegas, NV's $1,320, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Jackson versus $47,000 in Las Vegas.

Which has lower taxes, Jackson or Las Vegas?

Jackson is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Las Vegas under Nevada's (no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax).

Jackson vs Las Vegas Cost of Living 2026

Jackson

Mississippi

$1,010/mo est.

Las Vegas

Nevada

$1,320/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,010 in Jackson, MS versus $1,320 in Las Vegas, NV. Overall, Jackson, MS is roughly 23% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Las Vegas, NV, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $43,238 in Jackson, MS and $70,723 in Las Vegas, NV — about 39% higher in Las Vegas, NV. Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax; Nevada has no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax.

Jackson, MS

Las Vegas, NV

Rent

Studio

$1,085

$992

+9% in Jackson, MS

1 Bedroom

$816

$1,181

+45% in Las Vegas, NV

2 Bedroom

$991

$1,401

+41% in Las Vegas, NV

3 Bedroom

$1,121

$1,740

+55% in Las Vegas, NV

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$108,200

$395,300

+265% in Las Vegas, NV

Income

Median Household Income

$43,238

$70,723

+64% in Las Vegas, NV

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$42,850

$46,670

+9% in Las Vegas, NV

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.7 yr

38.5 yr

+3.8 yr in Las Vegas, NV

Homeownership

48.6%

55.7%

+7.1 pp in Las Vegas, NV

Bachelor's+ (25+)

28.6%

27.3%

+1.3 pp in Jackson, MS

Avg Commute

20.2 min

25.8 min

+5.6 min in Las Vegas, NV

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

—

433.3

Property Crime

—

2,642.1

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

65.3°F

68.4°F

+3.1°F in Las Vegas, NV

Annual Precipitation

54.3 in

5.4 in

+49.0 in in Jackson, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$5.09/gal

+40% in Las Vegas, NV

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.00

Adult base one-way fare — — vs RTC (residential routes) (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.2

13.6

+16% in Jackson, MS

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$27.68

$12.09

+56% in Jackson, MS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Las Vegas, NV

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Las Vegas, NV

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Jackson, MS

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Las Vegas, NV

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Las Vegas, NV

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Las Vegas, NV

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MS / NV)

6.85%

+0.2 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

4.00%

None

+4.0 pp in MS

Jackson vs Las Vegas — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Jackson or Las Vegas?: Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below Las Vegas, NV's $1,320, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Jackson than in Las Vegas?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Jackson versus $47,000 in Las Vegas.
Which has lower taxes, Jackson or Las Vegas?: Jackson is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Las Vegas under Nevada's (no state income tax and a 6.85% 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).