Is it cheaper to live in Jackson or New Haven?

Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,000 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 35% below New Haven, CT's $1,530, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Jackson versus $51,000 in New Haven.

Which has lower taxes, Jackson or New Haven?

Jackson is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); New Haven under Connecticut's (a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% state sales tax).

Jackson vs New Haven Cost of Living 2026

Jackson

Mississippi

$1,000/mo est.

New Haven

Connecticut

$1,530/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,000 in Jackson, MS versus $1,530 in New Haven, CT. Overall, Jackson, MS is roughly 35% cheaper to live in day-to-day than New Haven, CT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $43,238 in Jackson, MS and $53,771 in New Haven, CT — about 20% higher in New Haven, CT. Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax; Connecticut has a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% state sales tax.

Jackson, MS

New Haven, CT

Rent

Studio

$1,085

$1,159

+7% in New Haven, CT

1 Bedroom

$816

$1,275

+56% in New Haven, CT

2 Bedroom

$991

$1,473

+49% in New Haven, CT

3 Bedroom

$1,121

$1,636

+46% in New Haven, CT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$108,200

$249,000

+130% in New Haven, CT

Income

Median Household Income

$43,238

$53,771

+24% in New Haven, CT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$42,850

$60,060

+40% in New Haven, CT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.7 yr

31.9 yr

+2.8 yr in Jackson, MS

Homeownership

48.6%

28.4%

+20.2 pp in Jackson, MS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

28.6%

37.7%

+9.1 pp in New Haven, CT

Avg Commute

20.2 min

21.0 min

+0.8 min in New Haven, CT

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

—

536.3

Property Crime

—

3,601.6

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

52.2°F

+13.1°F in Jackson, MS

Annual Precipitation

54.3 in

47.1 in

+7.2 in in Jackson, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.94/gal

+9% in New Haven, CT

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.9

24.3

+63% in New Haven, CT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$29.04

$23.33

+20% in Jackson, MS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in New Haven, CT

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in New Haven, CT

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Jackson, MS

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in New Haven, CT

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in New Haven, CT

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in New Haven, CT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MS / CT)

6.35%

+0.7 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

4.00%

6.99%

+3.0 pp in CT

Jackson vs New Haven — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Jackson or New Haven?: Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,000 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 35% below New Haven, CT's $1,530, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Jackson than in New Haven?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Jackson versus $51,000 in New Haven.
Which has lower taxes, Jackson or New Haven?: Jackson is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); New Haven under Connecticut's (a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% 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).