CostIndexUSA

Jackson, MS vs Memphis, TN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableMS
Jackson
89
overall index
$1,500/mo rent
TN
Memphis
92.2
overall index
$1,425/mo rent

Jackson is slightly cheaper than Memphis — 3.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Jackson, you would need $82,900 in Memphis. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+23.1%
Jackson
64.8
Memphis
79.8
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Jackson
96.2
Memphis
96.2
🚗 Transportation0.8%
Jackson
100.9
Memphis
100.1
🏥 Healthcare0.8%
Jackson
91.3
Memphis
90.6
Utilities5.1%
Jackson
78.1
Memphis
74.1

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Memphis, TN
$82,900
$2,900 more needed in Memphis

Formula: salary × (92.2 ÷ 89) = salary × 1.0360. 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×

Memphis, TN

Median Home Price
$238,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,425
Housing Index
79.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.9×

Memphis has 23.1% 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

Memphis, TN

Median Household Income
$64,000
Per Capita Income
$36,500
Unemployment Rate
5.7%
Population
633,104
Top Industries
LogisticsHealthcareManufacturingTourismGovernment

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)

Memphis, TN
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% 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.