Is it cheaper to live in Jackson or Naperville?

Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 45% below Naperville, IL's $1,830, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Jackson versus $64,000 in Naperville.

Which has lower taxes, Jackson or Naperville?

Jackson is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Naperville under Illinois's (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Jackson vs Naperville Cost of Living 2026

Jackson

Mississippi

$1,010/mo est.

Naperville

Illinois

$1,830/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 $1,830 in Naperville, IL. Overall, Jackson, MS is roughly 45% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Naperville, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $43,238 in Jackson, MS and $150,937 in Naperville, IL — about 71% higher in Naperville, IL. Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax; Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Jackson, MS

Naperville, IL

Rent

Studio

$1,085

$1,713

+58% in Naperville, IL

1 Bedroom

$816

$1,594

+95% in Naperville, IL

2 Bedroom

$991

$1,889

+91% in Naperville, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,121

$2,446

+118% in Naperville, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$108,200

$509,900

+371% in Naperville, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$43,238

$150,937

+249% in Naperville, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$42,850

$54,720

+28% in Naperville, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.7 yr

40.1 yr

+5.4 yr in Naperville, IL

Homeownership

48.6%

74.3%

+25.7 pp in Naperville, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

28.6%

71.7%

+43.1 pp in Naperville, IL

Avg Commute

20.2 min

31.4 min

+11.2 min in Naperville, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

—

85.7

Property Crime

—

892.2

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

49.9°F

+15.4°F in Jackson, MS

Annual Precipitation

54.3 in

36.9 in

+17.4 in in Jackson, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.94/gal

+9% in Naperville, IL

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.2

23.9

+48% in Naperville, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$27.68

$15.39

+44% in Jackson, MS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Naperville, IL

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Jackson, MS

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Naperville, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Naperville, IL

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Naperville, IL

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MS / IL)

6.25%

+0.8 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

4.00%

4.95%

+1.0 pp in IL

Jackson vs Naperville — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Jackson or Naperville?: Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 45% below Naperville, IL's $1,830, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Jackson than in Naperville?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Jackson versus $64,000 in Naperville.
Which has lower taxes, Jackson or Naperville?: Jackson is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Naperville under Illinois's (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% 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).