CostIndexUSA

Jackson, MS vs Lexington, KY Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableMS
Jackson
89
overall index
$1,500/mo rent
KY
Lexington
92.9
overall index
$1,500/mo rent

Jackson is slightly cheaper than Lexington — 4.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Jackson, you would need $83,500 in Lexington. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+19.0%
Jackson
64.8
Lexington
77.1
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Jackson
96.2
Lexington
96.2
🚗 Transportation+0.8%
Jackson
100.9
Lexington
101.7
🏥 Healthcare+0.8%
Jackson
91.3
Lexington
92
Utilities4.5%
Jackson
78.1
Lexington
74.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Lexington, KY
$83,500
$3,500 more needed in Lexington

Formula: salary × (92.9 ÷ 89) = salary × 1.0438. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Jackson, MS

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

Lexington, KY

Median Home Price
$313,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,500
Housing Index
77.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.4×

Lexington has 19.0% higher housing costs compared to Jackson.

Income & Job Market

Jackson, MS

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

Lexington, KY

Median Household Income
$70,000
Per Capita Income
$39,900
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
322,570
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingAgricultureGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

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

Jackson, MS
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

69% of income left after rent (median)

Lexington, KY
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

74% 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.