Living Cost Compare
Jackson

Mississippi

$1,010/mo est.

vs
New York City

New York

$2,010/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 $2,010 in New York City, NY. Overall, Jackson, MS is roughly 50% cheaper to live in day-to-day than New York City, NY, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $43,238 in Jackson, MS and $79,713 in New York City, NY — about 46% higher in New York City, NY. Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax; New York has a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax.

Rent

Studio
$1,085
$1,633
+51% in New York City, NY
1 Bedroom
$816
$1,705
+109% in New York City, NY
2 Bedroom
$991
$1,781
+80% in New York City, NY
3 Bedroom
$1,121
$2,065
+84% in New York City, NY

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$108,200
$751,700
+595% in New York City, NY

Income

Median Household Income
$43,238
$79,713
+84% in New York City, NY
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$42,850
$61,430
+43% in New York City, NY

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
34.7 yr
38.0 yr
+3.3 yr in New York City, NY
Homeownership
48.6%
32.8%
+15.8 pp in Jackson, MS
Bachelor's+ (25+)
28.6%
41.0%
+12.4 pp in New York City, NY
Avg Commute
20.2 min
40.6 min
+20.4 min in New York City, NY

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
694
Property Crime
2,415.4

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
55.0°F
+10.3°F in Jackson, MS
Annual Precipitation
54.3 in
49.9 in
+4.4 in in Jackson, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.62/gal
$3.95/gal
+9% in New York City, NY

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs New York City.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
$3.00

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
16.2
29.9
+85% in New York City, NY
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$27.68
$22.74
+18% in Jackson, MS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.00
$4.31
+8% in New York City, NY
Bread (lb)
$1.75
$1.92
+10% in New York City, NY
Eggs (doz)
$2.21
$2.19
+1% in Jackson, MS
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.45
$6.90
+7% in New York City, NY
Chicken (lb)
$1.90
$2.19
+15% in New York City, NY
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.69
+12% in New York City, NY

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MS / NY)
7%
4%
+3.0 pp in MS
Income Tax (top rate)
4.00%
10.90%
+6.9 pp in NY

Jackson vs New York City — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Jackson or New York City?
Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 50% below New York City, NY's $2,010, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Jackson than in New York City?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Jackson versus $68,000 in New York City.
Which has lower taxes, Jackson or New York City?
Jackson is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); New York City under New York's (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% 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).