Is it cheaper to live in Jackson or Mesa?

Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 31% below Mesa, AZ's $1,460, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Jackson versus $52,000 in Mesa.

Which has lower taxes, Jackson or Mesa?

Jackson is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Mesa under Arizona's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax).

Jackson vs Mesa Cost of Living 2026

Jackson

Mississippi

$1,010/mo est.

Mesa

Arizona

$1,460/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 $1,460 in Mesa, AZ. Overall, Jackson, MS is roughly 31% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Mesa, AZ, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $43,238 in Jackson, MS and $78,779 in Mesa, AZ — about 45% higher in Mesa, AZ. Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax; Arizona has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax.

Jackson, MS

Mesa, AZ

Rent

Studio

$1,085

$1,209

+11% in Mesa, AZ

1 Bedroom

$816

$1,288

+58% in Mesa, AZ

2 Bedroom

$991

$1,458

+47% in Mesa, AZ

3 Bedroom

$1,121

$1,819

+62% in Mesa, AZ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$108,200

$364,300

+237% in Mesa, AZ

Income

Median Household Income

$43,238

$78,779

+82% in Mesa, AZ

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$42,850

$51,380

+20% in Mesa, AZ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.7 yr

37.2 yr

+2.5 yr in Mesa, AZ

Homeownership

48.6%

64.4%

+15.8 pp in Mesa, AZ

Bachelor's+ (25+)

28.6%

31.5%

+2.9 pp in Mesa, AZ

Avg Commute

20.2 min

25.0 min

+4.8 min in Mesa, AZ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

—

486.2

Property Crime

—

1,488

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

75.1°F

+9.8°F in Mesa, AZ

Annual Precipitation

54.3 in

8.0 in

+46.3 in in Jackson, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$5.09/gal

+40% in Mesa, AZ

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.00

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.2

15.2

+6% in Jackson, MS

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$27.68

$22.44

+19% in Jackson, MS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Mesa, AZ

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Mesa, AZ

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Jackson, MS

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Mesa, AZ

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Mesa, AZ

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Mesa, AZ

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MS / AZ)

5.6%

+1.4 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

4.00%

2.50%

+1.5 pp in MS

Jackson vs Mesa — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Jackson or Mesa?: Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 31% below Mesa, AZ's $1,460, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Jackson than in Mesa?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Jackson versus $52,000 in Mesa.
Which has lower taxes, Jackson or Mesa?: Jackson is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Mesa under Arizona's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% 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).