Is it cheaper to live in Jackson or Manchester?

Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Manchester, NH's $1,430, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Jackson versus $46,000 in Manchester.

Which has lower taxes, Jackson or Manchester?

Jackson is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Manchester under New Hampshire's (no state income tax and no state sales tax).

Jackson vs Manchester Cost of Living 2026

Jackson

Mississippi

$1,010/mo est.

Manchester

New Hampshire

$1,430/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 $1,430 in Manchester, NH. Overall, Jackson, MS is roughly 29% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Manchester, NH, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $43,238 in Jackson, MS and $77,415 in Manchester, NH — about 44% higher in Manchester, NH. Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax; New Hampshire has no state income tax and no state sales tax.

Jackson, MS

Manchester, NH

Rent

Studio

$1,085

$880

+19% in Jackson, MS

1 Bedroom

$816

$1,150

+41% in Manchester, NH

2 Bedroom

$991

$1,593

+61% in Manchester, NH

3 Bedroom

$1,121

$1,661

+48% in Manchester, NH

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$108,200

$336,300

+211% in Manchester, NH

Income

Median Household Income

$43,238

$77,415

+79% in Manchester, NH

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$42,850

$56,530

+32% in Manchester, NH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.7 yr

37.9 yr

+3.2 yr in Manchester, NH

Homeownership

48.6%

49.3%

+0.7 pp in Manchester, NH

Bachelor's+ (25+)

28.6%

33.5%

+4.9 pp in Manchester, NH

Avg Commute

20.2 min

23.8 min

+3.6 min in Manchester, NH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

—

339.5

Property Crime

—

1,691.4

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

49.2°F

+16.1°F in Jackson, MS

Annual Precipitation

54.3 in

44.6 in

+9.7 in in Jackson, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.86/gal

+7% in Manchester, NH

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.2

27.3

+69% in Manchester, NH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$27.68

$24.53

+11% in Jackson, MS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Manchester, NH

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Manchester, NH

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Jackson, MS

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Manchester, NH

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Manchester, NH

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Manchester, NH

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MS / NH)

None

+7.0 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

4.00%

None

+4.0 pp in MS

Jackson vs Manchester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Jackson or Manchester?: Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Manchester, NH's $1,430, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Jackson than in Manchester?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Jackson versus $46,000 in Manchester.
Which has lower taxes, Jackson or Manchester?: Jackson is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Manchester under New Hampshire's (no state income tax and no 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).