Is it cheaper to live in Jackson or Rochester?

Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% below Rochester, MN's $1,280, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Jackson versus $44,000 in Rochester.

Which has lower taxes, Jackson or Rochester?

Jackson is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Rochester under Minnesota's (a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax).

Jackson vs Rochester Cost of Living 2026

Jackson

Mississippi

$1,010/mo est.

Rochester

Minnesota

$1,280/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 $1,280 in Rochester, MN. Overall, Jackson, MS is roughly 21% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Rochester, MN, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $43,238 in Jackson, MS and $87,767 in Rochester, MN — about 51% higher in Rochester, MN. Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax; Minnesota has a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax.

Jackson, MS

Rochester, MN

Rent

Studio

$1,085

$1,080

+0% in Jackson, MS

1 Bedroom

$816

$1,106

+36% in Rochester, MN

2 Bedroom

$991

$1,243

+25% in Rochester, MN

3 Bedroom

$1,121

$1,646

+47% in Rochester, MN

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$108,200

$287,500

+166% in Rochester, MN

Income

Median Household Income

$43,238

$87,767

+103% in Rochester, MN

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$42,850

$60,620

+41% in Rochester, MN

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.7 yr

36.4 yr

+1.7 yr in Rochester, MN

Homeownership

48.6%

65.4%

+16.8 pp in Rochester, MN

Bachelor's+ (25+)

28.6%

50.1%

+21.5 pp in Rochester, MN

Avg Commute

20.2 min

17.2 min

+3.0 min in Jackson, MS

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

—

158.9

Property Crime

—

1,379

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

45.4°F

+19.9°F in Jackson, MS

Annual Precipitation

54.3 in

33.0 in

+21.3 in in Jackson, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.95/gal

+9% in Rochester, MN

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs Minnesota.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.2

16.9

+5% in Rochester, MN

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$27.68

$14.95

+46% in Jackson, MS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Rochester, MN

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Jackson, MS

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Rochester, MN

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Rochester, MN

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Rochester, MN

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MS / MN)

6.875%

+0.1 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

4.00%

9.85%

+5.8 pp in MN

Jackson vs Rochester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Jackson or Rochester?: Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% below Rochester, MN's $1,280, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Jackson than in Rochester?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Jackson versus $44,000 in Rochester.
Which has lower taxes, Jackson or Rochester?: Jackson is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Rochester under Minnesota's (a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% 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).