Is it cheaper to live in Jackson or Tacoma?

Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 33% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Tacoma.

Which has lower taxes, Jackson or Tacoma?

Jackson is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Tacoma under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Jackson vs Tacoma Cost of Living 2026

Jackson

Mississippi

$1,010/mo est.

Tacoma

Washington

$1,500/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 $1,500 in Tacoma, WA. Overall, Jackson, MS is roughly 33% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Tacoma, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $43,238 in Jackson, MS and $83,857 in Tacoma, WA — about 48% higher in Tacoma, WA. Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Jackson, MS

Tacoma, WA

Rent

Studio

$1,085

$1,178

+9% in Tacoma, WA

1 Bedroom

$816

$1,332

+63% in Tacoma, WA

2 Bedroom

$991

$1,693

+71% in Tacoma, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,121

$2,094

+87% in Tacoma, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$108,200

$454,600

+320% in Tacoma, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$43,238

$83,857

+94% in Tacoma, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$42,850

$72,610

+69% in Tacoma, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.7 yr

37.3 yr

+2.6 yr in Tacoma, WA

Homeownership

48.6%

56.5%

+7.9 pp in Tacoma, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

28.6%

33.5%

+4.9 pp in Tacoma, WA

Avg Commute

20.2 min

29.0 min

+8.8 min in Tacoma, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

—

1,064.4

Property Crime

—

5,695.2

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

52.1°F

+13.2°F in Jackson, MS

Annual Precipitation

54.3 in

43.0 in

+11.3 in in Jackson, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$5.12/gal

+41% in Tacoma, WA

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.2

14.9

+7% in Jackson, MS

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$27.68

$20.41

+26% in Jackson, MS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Tacoma, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Tacoma, WA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Jackson, MS

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Tacoma, WA

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Tacoma, WA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Tacoma, WA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MS / WA)

6.5%

+0.5 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

4.00%

None

+4.0 pp in MS

Jackson vs Tacoma — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Jackson or Tacoma?: Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 33% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Jackson than in Tacoma?: 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 Tacoma.
Which has lower taxes, Jackson or Tacoma?: Jackson is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Tacoma under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% 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).