Is it cheaper to live in Jackson or Norfolk?

Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% below Norfolk, VA's $1,230, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Jackson versus $41,000 in Norfolk.

Which has lower taxes, Jackson or Norfolk?

Jackson is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Norfolk under Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax).

Jackson vs Norfolk Cost of Living 2026

Jackson

Mississippi

$1,010/mo est.

Norfolk

Virginia

$1,230/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 $1,230 in Norfolk, VA. Overall, Jackson, MS is roughly 18% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Norfolk, VA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $43,238 in Jackson, MS and $64,017 in Norfolk, VA — about 32% higher in Norfolk, VA. Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax; Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax.

Jackson, MS

Norfolk, VA

Rent

Studio

$1,085

$1,102

+2% in Norfolk, VA

1 Bedroom

$816

$1,032

+26% in Norfolk, VA

2 Bedroom

$991

$1,214

+23% in Norfolk, VA

3 Bedroom

$1,121

$1,602

+43% in Norfolk, VA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$108,200

$271,900

+151% in Norfolk, VA

Income

Median Household Income

$43,238

$64,017

+48% in Norfolk, VA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$42,850

$49,430

+15% in Norfolk, VA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.7 yr

32.4 yr

+2.3 yr in Jackson, MS

Homeownership

48.6%

45.7%

+2.9 pp in Jackson, MS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

28.6%

32.7%

+4.1 pp in Norfolk, VA

Avg Commute

20.2 min

22.9 min

+2.7 min in Norfolk, VA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

—

479.5

Property Crime

—

3,800.7

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

61.3°F

+4.0°F in Jackson, MS

Annual Precipitation

54.3 in

44.8 in

+9.6 in in Jackson, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.86/gal

+7% in Norfolk, VA

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.2

17.6

+9% in Norfolk, VA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$27.68

$23.66

+15% in Jackson, MS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.75

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MS / VA)

5.3%

+1.7 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

4.00%

5.75%

+1.8 pp in VA

Jackson vs Norfolk — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Jackson or Norfolk?: Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% below Norfolk, VA's $1,230, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Jackson than in Norfolk?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Jackson versus $41,000 in Norfolk.
Which has lower taxes, Jackson or Norfolk?: Jackson is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Norfolk under Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% 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).