Is it cheaper to live in Jackson or Lincoln?

Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 2% below Lincoln, NE's $1,030, mainly because of rent.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Jackson or Lincoln?

Jackson is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Lincoln under Nebraska's (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax).

Jackson vs Lincoln Cost of Living 2026

Jackson

Mississippi

$1,010/mo est.

Lincoln

Nebraska

$1,030/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 $1,030 in Lincoln, NE. Overall, Jackson, MS is roughly 2% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Lincoln, NE, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $43,238 in Jackson, MS and $69,991 in Lincoln, NE — about 38% higher in Lincoln, NE. Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax; Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax.

Jackson, MS

Lincoln, NE

Rent

Studio

$1,085

$851

+22% in Jackson, MS

1 Bedroom

$816

$879

+8% in Lincoln, NE

2 Bedroom

$991

$1,070

+8% in Lincoln, NE

3 Bedroom

$1,121

$1,379

+23% in Lincoln, NE

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$108,200

$248,200

+129% in Lincoln, NE

Income

Median Household Income

$43,238

$69,991

+62% in Lincoln, NE

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$42,850

$49,800

+16% in Lincoln, NE

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.7 yr

33.4 yr

+1.3 yr in Jackson, MS

Homeownership

48.6%

55.8%

+7.2 pp in Lincoln, NE

Bachelor's+ (25+)

28.6%

41.0%

+12.4 pp in Lincoln, NE

Avg Commute

20.2 min

18.3 min

+1.9 min in Jackson, MS

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

—

363.1

Property Crime

—

2,484.4

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

65.3°F

51.5°F

+13.8°F in Jackson, MS

Annual Precipitation

54.3 in

30.9 in

+23.5 in in Jackson, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.94/gal

+9% in Lincoln, NE

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.2

13.6

+16% in Jackson, MS

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$27.68

$15.53

+44% in Jackson, MS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Lincoln, NE

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Jackson, MS

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Lincoln, NE

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Lincoln, NE

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Lincoln, NE

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MS / NE)

5.5%

+1.5 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

4.00%

4.55%

+0.5 pp in NE

Jackson vs Lincoln — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Jackson or Lincoln?: Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 2% below Lincoln, NE's $1,030, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Jackson than in Lincoln?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Jackson versus $35,000 in Lincoln.
Which has lower taxes, Jackson or Lincoln?: Jackson is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Lincoln under Nebraska's (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% 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).