Is it cheaper to live in Jackson or Milwaukee?

Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 3% below Milwaukee, WI's $1,040, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Jackson versus $34,000 in Milwaukee.

Which has lower taxes, Jackson or Milwaukee?

Jackson is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Milwaukee under Wisconsin's (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax).

Jackson vs Milwaukee Cost of Living 2026

Jackson

Mississippi

$1,010/mo est.

Milwaukee

Wisconsin

$1,040/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 $1,040 in Milwaukee, WI. Overall, Jackson, MS is roughly 3% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Milwaukee, WI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $43,238 in Jackson, MS and $51,888 in Milwaukee, WI — about 17% higher in Milwaukee, WI. Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax; Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.

Jackson, MS

Milwaukee, WI

Rent

Studio

$1,085

$841

+22% in Jackson, MS

1 Bedroom

$816

$849

+4% in Milwaukee, WI

2 Bedroom

$991

$1,031

+4% in Milwaukee, WI

3 Bedroom

$1,121

$1,193

+6% in Milwaukee, WI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$108,200

$172,000

+59% in Milwaukee, WI

Income

Median Household Income

$43,238

$51,888

+20% in Milwaukee, WI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$42,850

$51,160

+19% in Milwaukee, WI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.7 yr

32.2 yr

+2.5 yr in Jackson, MS

Homeownership

48.6%

41.5%

+7.1 pp in Jackson, MS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

28.6%

26.6%

+2.0 pp in Jackson, MS

Avg Commute

20.2 min

22.4 min

+2.2 min in Milwaukee, WI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

—

1,452.3

Property Crime

—

2,772.2

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

47.9°F

+17.4°F in Jackson, MS

Annual Precipitation

54.3 in

34.8 in

+19.6 in in Jackson, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.94/gal

+9% in Milwaukee, WI

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.25

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.2

19.7

+22% in Milwaukee, WI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$27.68

$11.79

+57% in Jackson, MS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Milwaukee, WI

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Jackson, MS

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Milwaukee, WI

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Milwaukee, WI

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Milwaukee, WI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MS / WI)

+2.0 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

4.00%

7.65%

+3.7 pp in WI

Jackson vs Milwaukee — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Jackson or Milwaukee?: Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 3% below Milwaukee, WI's $1,040, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Jackson than in Milwaukee?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Jackson versus $34,000 in Milwaukee.
Which has lower taxes, Jackson or Milwaukee?: Jackson is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Milwaukee under Wisconsin's (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 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).