A+
17%
Overall NAT. AVG.
5%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
38%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Jackson Mississippi National
Cost of living8383100
Goods & Services9592100
Groceries9997100
Health care10298100
Housing6263100
Transportation8188100
Utilities8386100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Jackson, MS

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Jackson? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Jackson stands at 83, making it 17% lower than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.

Is Jackson Affordable?

Is Jackson an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Jackson is 50.5% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 9.8% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Jackson has a median household income of $40,064, which is 27.6% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Jackson?

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In Jackson, the healthcare costs are 1.6% higher than the national average.

Groceries: Grocery costs have continued to increase significantly over the last 2-3 years. In some markets the cost of food has gone up by more than 20% in that period. While other markets have managed to see only a moderate uptick. These food costs can have a major impact on the cost of living in any area. In Jackson, the groceries index is 1.4% lower than the national average.

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any other goods or services, utility expenditures can exhibit substantial variability, influenced by factors such as climate, energy sources accessibility, geographical location and state regulations. Costs related to electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, whether higher or lower, contingent on the city or state. In Jackson, the utilities index is 17.5% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Jackson cost of living data you see above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, providing a practical and accurate means of comparing living expenses in urban areas. Updated quarterly, this index gathers data from over 300 independent researchers, covering more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. These selections are made meticulously to represent a wide range of consumer expenditure categories. The weightings applied to cost differences are based on government survey data that tracks spending patterns among professional and executive households. It's important to note that while the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes factors tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Jackson is equal to the Mississippi average
  • The cost of living in Jackson is 17% lower than the national average
  • Jackson housing is 38% lower than the national average
  • Mississippi general sales tax is 37% higher than the national average
  • Mississippi state income tax is 93% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Jackson

See all the best places to live around Jackson

Compare Jackson, MS Cost of Living

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      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$56,652$4,721$1,322$1,700
      Renters$27,135$2,261$633$814
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in Jackson, MS, as well as the overall cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for homeowners or renters should be not more than 28 percent of gross income to be spent on housing related costs and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses, including debts. The median income for Jackson homeowners, is $56,652. This would allow for a maximum of $1,322 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $27,135 which would result in a maximum of $633 to be spent on rental costs.

      Mississippi Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Mississippi 7% 7.25%

      Mississippi Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Mississippi 5% 5%

      Goods & Services

      Item Jackson National avg. Difference
      Haircut $22.50$24.267.3%
      Beauty Salon $41.67$45.568.6%
      Toothpaste $3.62$3.702.1%
      Shampoo $1.24$1.283.2%
      Movie $13.59$12.1312.0%
      Bowling $20.00$18.0011.1%

      Groceries

      Item Jackson National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.19$5.846.0%
      Fried Chicken $1.67$1.576.4%
      Milk $4.64$4.670.8%
      Potatoes $5.10$4.933.3%
      Pizza $12.66$12.094.7%
      Beer $9.66$10.417.2%

      Health Care

      Item Jackson National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $106.25$125.6815.5%
      Doctor $134.71$135.780.8%
      Dentist $121.33$113.297.1%
      Ibuprofen $10.31$10.653.2%
      Lipitor $495.95$468.605.8%

      Housing

      Item Jackson National avg. Difference
      Home Price $91,400.00$184,700.0050.5%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,763.83$2,346.6924.8%
      Apartment Rent $856.00$949.009.8%

      Transportation

      Item Jackson National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.02$3.4612.7%
      Tire Balancing $38.33$59.9236.0%

      Utilities

      Item Jackson National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $141.59$193.9927.0%
      Phone $187.62$192.252.4%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Robinhood, MS1,2957921.4%
      Cleary, MS1,8418316.7%
      Raymond, MS2,0078416.2%
      Richland, MS7,2038613.6%
      Terry, MS2,0608712.7%
      Jackson, MS163,7788317.0%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Greater Sudbury, ON165,562n/a 
      Fort Collins, CO166,06912727.5%
      Abbotsford, BC160,174n/a 
      Coquitlam, BC159,980n/a 
      Springfield, MO167,6018416.4%
      Jackson, MS163,7788317.0%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.