Is it cheaper to live in Jackson or Raleigh?

Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 33% below Raleigh, NC's $1,510, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Jackson versus $53,000 in Raleigh.

Which has lower taxes, Jackson or Raleigh?

Jackson is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Raleigh under North Carolina's (a top state income tax rate of 3.99% and a 4.75% state sales tax).

Jackson vs Raleigh Cost of Living 2026

Jackson

Mississippi

$1,010/mo est.

Raleigh

North Carolina

$1,510/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 $1,510 in Raleigh, NC. Overall, Jackson, MS is roughly 33% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Raleigh, NC, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $43,238 in Jackson, MS and $82,424 in Raleigh, NC — about 48% higher in Raleigh, NC. Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax; North Carolina has a top state income tax rate of 3.99% and a 4.75% state sales tax.

Jackson, MS

Raleigh, NC

Rent

Studio

$1,085

$1,301

+20% in Raleigh, NC

1 Bedroom

$816

$1,323

+62% in Raleigh, NC

2 Bedroom

$991

$1,462

+48% in Raleigh, NC

3 Bedroom

$1,121

$1,715

+53% in Raleigh, NC

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$108,200

$377,800

+249% in Raleigh, NC

Income

Median Household Income

$43,238

$82,424

+91% in Raleigh, NC

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$42,850

$51,990

+21% in Raleigh, NC

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.7 yr

about equal

Homeownership

48.6%

51.2%

+2.6 pp in Raleigh, NC

Bachelor's+ (25+)

28.6%

52.9%

+24.3 pp in Raleigh, NC

Avg Commute

20.2 min

23.4 min

+3.2 min in Raleigh, NC

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

—

491.5

Property Crime

—

2,838.4

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

60.6°F

+4.7°F in Jackson, MS

Annual Precipitation

54.3 in

46.0 in

+8.3 in in Jackson, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.86/gal

+7% in Raleigh, NC

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$1.25

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.2

15.1

+7% in Jackson, MS

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$27.68

$27.56

+0% 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 / NC)

4.75%

+2.3 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

4.00%

3.99%

about equal

Jackson vs Raleigh — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Jackson or Raleigh?: Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 33% below Raleigh, NC's $1,510, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Jackson than in Raleigh?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Jackson versus $53,000 in Raleigh.
Which has lower taxes, Jackson or Raleigh?: Jackson is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Raleigh under North Carolina's (a top state income tax rate of 3.99% and a 4.75% 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).