Is it cheaper to live in Jackson or Warwick?

Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,000 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Warwick, RI's $1,390, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Jackson versus $43,000 in Warwick.

Which has lower taxes, Jackson or Warwick?

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

Jackson vs Warwick Cost of Living 2026

Jackson

Mississippi

$1,000/mo est.

Warwick

Rhode Island

$1,390/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,000 in Jackson, MS versus $1,390 in Warwick, RI. Overall, Jackson, MS is roughly 28% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Warwick, RI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $43,238 in Jackson, MS and $87,536 in Warwick, RI — about 51% higher in Warwick, 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

Warwick, RI

Rent

Studio

$1,085

$923

+15% in Jackson, MS

1 Bedroom

$816

$1,085

+33% in Warwick, RI

2 Bedroom

$991

$1,629

+64% in Warwick, RI

3 Bedroom

$1,121

$1,569

+40% in Warwick, RI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$108,200

$322,000

+198% in Warwick, RI

Income

Median Household Income

$43,238

$87,536

+102% in Warwick, RI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$42,850

$53,680

+25% in Warwick, RI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.7 yr

44.6 yr

+9.9 yr in Warwick, RI

Homeownership

48.6%

73.4%

+24.8 pp in Warwick, RI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

28.6%

33.2%

+4.6 pp in Warwick, RI

Avg Commute

20.2 min

25.0 min

+4.8 min in Warwick, RI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

—

79.5

Property Crime

—

1,149.5

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

$3.94/gal

+9% in Warwick, RI

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.9

29.2

+96% in Warwick, RI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$29.04

$25.75

+11% in Jackson, MS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Warwick, RI

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Warwick, RI

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Jackson, MS

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Warwick, RI

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Warwick, RI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Warwick, 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 Warwick — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Jackson or Warwick?: Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,000 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Warwick, RI's $1,390, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Jackson than in Warwick?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Jackson versus $43,000 in Warwick.
Which has lower taxes, Jackson or Warwick?: Jackson is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Warwick 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).