CostIndexUSA

Dayton, OH vs Jackson, MS Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

OH
Dayton
92.7
overall index
$1,300/mo rent
More AffordableMS
Jackson
89
overall index
$1,500/mo rent

Jackson is slightly cheaper than Dayton — 4.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Dayton, you would need $76,800 in Jackson. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing10.9%
Dayton
72.7
Jackson
64.8
🛒 Groceries+2.8%
Dayton
93.6
Jackson
96.2
🚗 Transportation2.9%
Dayton
103.9
Jackson
100.9
🏥 Healthcare2.9%
Dayton
94
Jackson
91.3
Utilities18.1%
Dayton
95.4
Jackson
78.1

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Dayton to see what you'd need to earn in Jackson to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Jackson, MS
$76,800
$3,200 less needed in Jackson

Formula: salary × (89 ÷ 92.7) = salary × 0.9601. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Dayton, OH

Median Home Price
$360,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,300
Housing Index
72.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
23.1×

Jackson, MS

Median Home Price
$205,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,500
Housing Index
64.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.4×

Dayton has 10.9% lower housing costs compared to Jackson.

Income & Job Market

Dayton, OH

Median Household Income
$67,100
Per Capita Income
$38,200
Unemployment Rate
4.5%
Population
137,630
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareMilitaryEducationGovernment

Jackson, MS

Median Household Income
$58,600
Per Capita Income
$33,400
Unemployment Rate
5.1%
Population
153,701
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareRetailManufacturingEducation

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Dayton, OH
4.3×income-to-rent ratio

77% of income left after rent (median)

Jackson, MS
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

69% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.