Is it cheaper to live in Jackson or Providence?

Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below Providence, RI's $1,310, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Providence.

Which has lower taxes, Jackson or Providence?

Jackson is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Providence under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax).

Jackson vs Providence Cost of Living 2026

Jackson

Mississippi

$1,010/mo est.

Providence

Rhode Island

$1,310/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 $1,310 in Providence, RI. Overall, Jackson, MS is roughly 23% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Providence, RI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $43,238 in Jackson, MS and $66,772 in Providence, RI — about 35% higher in Providence, RI. Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax; Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax.

Jackson, MS

Providence, RI

Rent

Studio

$1,085

$1,116

+3% in Providence, RI

1 Bedroom

$816

$1,030

+26% in Providence, RI

2 Bedroom

$991

$1,323

+34% in Providence, RI

3 Bedroom

$1,121

$1,627

+45% in Providence, RI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$108,200

$322,800

+198% in Providence, RI

Income

Median Household Income

$43,238

$66,772

+54% in Providence, RI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$42,850

$53,680

+25% in Providence, RI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.7 yr

32.9 yr

+1.8 yr in Jackson, MS

Homeownership

48.6%

41.2%

+7.4 pp in Jackson, MS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

28.6%

34.7%

+6.1 pp in Providence, RI

Avg Commute

20.2 min

25.0 min

+4.8 min in Providence, RI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

—

282.4

Property Crime

—

1,665.6

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

51.6°F

+13.7°F in Jackson, MS

Annual Precipitation

54.3 in

47.2 in

+7.1 in in Jackson, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.86/gal

+7% in Providence, RI

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.2

29.5

+82% in Providence, RI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$27.68

$16.06

+42% in Jackson, MS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Providence, RI

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Providence, RI

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Jackson, MS

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Providence, RI

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Providence, RI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Providence, RI

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MS / RI)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

4.00%

5.99%

+2.0 pp in RI

Jackson vs Providence — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Jackson or Providence?: Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below Providence, RI's $1,310, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Jackson than in Providence?: 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 Providence.
Which has lower taxes, Jackson or Providence?: Jackson is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Providence under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% 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).