CostIndexUSA

Jackson, MS vs Phoenix, AZ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableMS
Jackson
89
overall index
$1,500/mo rent
AZ
Phoenix
103.3
overall index
$1,725/mo rent

Jackson is significantly cheaper than Phoenix — 16.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Jackson, you would need $92,900 in Phoenix. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+87.0%
Jackson
64.8
Phoenix
121.2
🛒 Groceries1.2%
Jackson
96.2
Phoenix
95
🚗 Transportation+8.2%
Jackson
100.9
Phoenix
109.2
🏥 Healthcare+8.2%
Jackson
91.3
Phoenix
98.8
Utilities+19.5%
Jackson
78.1
Phoenix
93.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Phoenix, AZ
$92,900
$12,900 more needed in Phoenix

Formula: salary × (103.3 ÷ 89) = salary × 1.1607. 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×

Phoenix, AZ

Median Home Price
$442,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,725
Housing Index
121.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.4×

Phoenix has 87.0% 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

Phoenix, AZ

Median Household Income
$85,700
Per Capita Income
$48,800
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
1,608,139
Top Industries
TechnologyHealthcareReal EstateTourismFinance

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)

Phoenix, AZ
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.