Cost of Living in Jackson, MS (2026)
Updated Jun 2026 (3 months ago) · Source: U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Energy Information Administration
Key facts
- Rent (1-bedroom)
- $858/month
- U.S. Census Bureau · 2024-12-31
- Median household income
- $42,071
- U.S. Census Bureau · 2024-12-31
- Regional price parity
- 87.0 (below national average)
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · 2024-12-31
- Utilities (monthly)
- $134/month
- U.S. Energy Information Administration · 2026-06-30
- Rent burden (of income)
- 24% (affordable)
- Derived from Census + HUD threshold · 2024-12-31
Can you afford this city?
- Groceries (est.)
- $394
- Monthly surplus
- $2,364
Salary needed to live here
- Gross per month
- $2,980
- Comfortable budget
- $2,086
Jackson, MS vs the US average
| Metric | Value | vs US avg |
|---|---|---|
Median household income (Census ACS 5-Year, Dec 2024) | $42,071 | -46% vs US |
Median home value (Census ACS 5-Year, Dec 2024) | $111,700 | -67% vs US |
Rent (1BR) (Census ACS 5-Year, Dec 2024) | $858 | -34% vs US |
Rent (2BR) (Census ACS 5-Year, Dec 2024) | $1,012 | -31% vs US |
Grocery cost index (BEA Regional Price Parities, Dec 2024) | 96.2 | -4% vs US |
Utilities (monthly) (EIA Electricity Retail Sales, Jun 2026) | $134 | -35% vs US |
Cost breakdown vs US average
What it costs to live in Jackson
At $858 per month for a one-bedroom, Jackson sits well below the national median of $1,300 (34% less). The median household income here is $42,071, and a one-bedroom lease absorbs about 24% of that — leaving room under the 30% affordability threshold. The median home value of $111,700 is about 2.7× median income, under the 3× rule of thumb that signals affordable ownership. That's 67% below the U.S. median of $340,200. Utilities are relatively low at about $134/month — 35% below the national average of $205. The overall cost of goods and services sits 13% below the national level (BEA RPP index: 86.953). Use the calculator above to see how far your income goes, with rent and utilities prefilled from the latest U.S. Census Bureau data.
Buying a home in Jackson?
Mortgage payment calculator
- Principal & interest
- $2,108
- Total interest
- $438,707
Estimate only — not financial, tax, or legal advice. Figures are illustrative and may not reflect your situation. Consult a qualified professional.
Cite this page
CostAlmanac US, *Jackson, MS — Cost of Living*, https://costalmanac.com/cost-of-living/jackson-ms
Data from U.S. government sources. See methodology for how every number is computed.