Jackson, MS Relocation Guide (2026)
Cost of living, housing, and income data for Jackson, sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Salary needed to live in Jackson →
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Last updated July 2026.
Jackson, Mississippi is home to roughly 153,271 residents. The typical household here earns $42,193 a year — below the median we track across cities (-41%).
Anyone weighing a move to Jackson should know the median home value is $104,900, below the multi-city median (-68%), and median rent runs $980 per month. Current mortgage rates and local property taxes both affect the real math of buying versus renting.
The ratio of median home value to median household income in Jackson — roughly 2.5× — signals relatively affordable housing relative to local pay. The local market has seen 3.54% price growth over the past year — solid, sustainable movement rather than a rapid runup. Natural-hazard exposure in Jackson is rated Relatively Moderate by FEMA — modest risk that generally keeps insurance premiums more manageable.
Personal Affordability Check
Renting at $980/mo in Jackson would take 27.9% of your income.
$75/mo under the 30% guideline.
Buying the median home ($104,900) would take 15.9% of your income toward principal & interest.
$424/mo under the 28% guideline.
Cost of housing in Jackson
Median home value is $104,900 and median gross rent is $980/month. For buyers, monthly costs depend heavily on current mortgage rates — worth checking before you commit.
FHFA's county-level home price index for Hinds rose 3.54% over the past year (as of 2025).
HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit in the surrounding county is $1,288/month.
Climate & home insurance
FEMA rates Jackson's overall natural-hazard risk as Relatively Moderate. Risk level is a major driver of home insurance premiums.
Safety
Jackson reported a violent crime rate of 400.1 per 100,000 residents in 2025, per FBI data.
Moving to Jackson
Planning a move to Jackson? Compare licensed movers and get quotes based on your origin and move date.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the cost of living in Jackson, MS?
- The US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022) puts Jackson's median home value at $104,900, median rent at $980/month, and median household income at $42,193.
- How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Jackson?
- At Jackson's median rent of $980/month, the 30%-of-income guideline suggests an annual income around $39,200 to stay comfortably housed. See the full salary breakdown (renting and buying) for Jackson.
- Is it better to rent or buy in Jackson?
- With a median home value of $104,900 and median rent of $980/month, renting comfortably in Jackson takes about $39,200/year (the 30% guideline), while buying at the median price takes roughly $24,001/year in principal-and-interest alone (assumes 20% down, a 30-year fixed loan, and current mortgage rates). The right call depends on how long you plan to stay and your down payment.
- Is Jackson safe?
- FBI data puts Jackson's violent crime rate at 400.1 per 100,000 residents for 2025 — a useful benchmark alongside other cities you're weighing.
See the full salary breakdown for Jackson →
Cities with a similar cost of living
Matched on median rent and household income within 15% of Jackson's.