Jackson wins overall by ~26% (COL index)
Cost of living: Jackson vs Chicago (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Jackson buys roughly what $81,266 does in Chicago (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
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Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$13,807/yr
Favoring Jackson for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $1,151/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~14 months and still keep ~$138/mo for dining out.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Jackson Mississippi | Chicago Illinois | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $800Wins | $1,500 | Jackson wins +$700/mo | $8,400/yr saves in Jackson |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,000Wins | $1,900 | Jackson wins +$900/mo | $10,800/yr saves in Jackson |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,300Wins | $2,600 | Jackson wins +$1,300/mo | $15,600/yr saves in Jackson |
| Median home price | $180KWins | $360K | Jackson wins +$180K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 91Better | 102 | Jackson wins +11 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $11Wins | $15 | Jackson wins +$4/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $44Wins | $60 | Jackson wins +$16/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $38Wins | $105 | Jackson wins +$67/mo | $804/yr saves in Jackson |
| Gas price/gal | $2.95Wins | $3.40 | Jackson wins +$0.45 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $148Better | $165 | Jackson wins +$17/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $178 | $165Better | Chicago wins −$13/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $55Wins | $65 | Jackson wins +$10/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $42K | $67KWins | Chicago wins +$25K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 4.7%Better | 4.9% | Jackson wins +0.2 pp | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 7.1%Wins | 10.3% | Jackson wins +3.2 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $12.00Wins | $16.00 | Jackson wins +$4.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $30Wins | $45 | Jackson wins +$15/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $4.50Wins | $7.00 | Jackson wins +$2.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 79Wins | 107 | Jackson wins +28 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 22 | 78Wins | Chicago wins +56 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
Jackson fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Jackson.
High-yield savings
Park ~$10,800/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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Frequently asked questions
Is Jackson cheaper than Chicago?
Yes. Jackson is 26% cheaper than Chicago based on overall cost of living indices (79 vs 107, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Jackson vs Chicago?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Jackson is $1,000/month and in Chicago is $1,900/month. Jackson is cheaper by 47%.
How much do I need to earn in Chicago to match a $75,000 salary in Jackson?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $101,582/year in Chicago to match a $75,000 salary in Jackson. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Jackson or Chicago?
Jackson has the lower state income tax rate at 4.7% vs 4.9%. The difference is 0.2 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Jackson to Chicago?
It depends on your priorities. Jackson offers lower overall costs, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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Salary equivalent: Jackson ↔ Chicago
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