Can I Afford to Live in Jackson vs Sioux Falls on $80K?

Here's how a $80K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Jackson, MS
$4,743/mo take-home
Rent: $1,000/mo (21% of take-home)
Very comfortable
Sioux Falls, SD
$5,057/mo take-home
Rent: $1,250/mo (25% of take-home)
Comfortable
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Monthly budget breakdown

Jackson
MS
Sioux Falls
SD
Monthly take-home (est.)
$4,743
$5,057Best ✓
1BR rent
$1,000Best ✓
$1,250
Groceries (est.)
$346Best ✓
$365
Transport (est.)
$38Best ✓
$42
Utilities
$178
$155Best ✓
Internet
$55Best ✓
$60
Left after essentials
$3,126/month
$3,185/month
Sioux Falls (South Dakota) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Jackson (MS rate: 4.7%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $80K a good salary in Jackson?

At $80K/year in Jackson, your estimated monthly take-home is $4,743. With 1BR rent around $1,000/month, rent takes up 21% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Is $80K a good salary in Sioux Falls?

At $80K/year in Sioux Falls, your estimated monthly take-home is $5,057. With 1BR rent around $1,250/month, rent takes up 25% of your take-home. That's considered comfortable.

Which city is more affordable on a $80K salary?

Sioux Falls leaves you with more money after core expenses — $3,185/month vs $3,126/month in Jackson.

Can I afford to live alone in Jackson on $80K?

Yes. At $80K in Jackson, rent takes 21% of your take-home, leaving $3,126/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Jackson vs Sioux Falls

$40K$50K$60K$75K$100K$120K$150K

See the full cost-of-living comparison

Rent, groceries, taxes, transportation, and more — side by side.

Full comparison

Take-home estimates use simplified federal/state brackets and do not account for pre-tax deductions, 401(k), or local taxes. Data: Zillow, BLS, Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only