Is it cheaper to live in Jackson or Newark?

Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 17% below Newark, NJ's $1,210, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Jackson versus $39,000 in Newark.

Which has lower taxes, Jackson or Newark?

Jackson is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Newark under New Jersey's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax).

Jackson vs Newark Cost of Living 2026

Jackson

Mississippi

$1,010/mo est.

Newark

New Jersey

$1,210/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 $1,210 in Newark, NJ. Overall, Jackson, MS is roughly 17% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Newark, NJ, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $43,238 in Jackson, MS and $48,416 in Newark, NJ — about 11% higher in Newark, NJ. Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax; New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax.

Jackson, MS

Newark, NJ

Rent

Studio

$1,085

$1,111

+2% in Newark, NJ

1 Bedroom

$816

$978

+20% in Newark, NJ

2 Bedroom

$991

$1,386

+40% in Newark, NJ

3 Bedroom

$1,121

$1,695

+51% in Newark, NJ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$108,200

$337,800

+212% in Newark, NJ

Income

Median Household Income

$43,238

$48,416

+12% in Newark, NJ

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$42,850

$61,430

+43% in Newark, NJ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.7 yr

34.8 yr

+0.1 yr in Newark, NJ

Homeownership

48.6%

24.1%

+24.5 pp in Jackson, MS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

28.6%

17.4%

+11.2 pp in Jackson, MS

Avg Commute

20.2 min

33.2 min

+13.0 min in Newark, NJ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

—

582.5

Property Crime

—

1,961.8

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

54.9°F

+10.4°F in Jackson, MS

Annual Precipitation

54.3 in

46.3 in

+8.1 in in Jackson, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.86/gal

+7% in Newark, NJ

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.2

23.3

+44% in Newark, NJ

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$27.68

$15.93

+42% in Jackson, MS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Newark, NJ

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Newark, NJ

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Jackson, MS

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Newark, NJ

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Newark, NJ

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Newark, NJ

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MS / NJ)

6.625%

+0.4 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

4.00%

10.75%

+6.8 pp in NJ

Jackson vs Newark — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Jackson or Newark?: Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 17% below Newark, NJ's $1,210, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Jackson than in Newark?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Jackson versus $39,000 in Newark.
Which has lower taxes, Jackson or Newark?: Jackson is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Newark under New Jersey's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% 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).