Jackson wins overall by ~4% (COL index)
Cost of living: Jackson vs Wichita (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Jackson buys roughly what $62,278 does in Wichita (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$847/yr
Favoring Jackson for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $71/mo in Jackson, you could max a Roth IRA contribution faster and still grow your savings buffer.
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 | Wichita Kansas | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $800Better | $800 | — | — |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,000Better | $1,000 | — | — |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,300Better | $1,300 | — | — |
| Median home price | $180KBetter | $200K | Jackson wins +$20K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 91Better | 92 | Jackson wins +1 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $11Better | $11 | — | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $44Better | $46 | Jackson wins +$2/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $38Better | $42 | Jackson wins +$4/mo | — |
| Gas price/gal | $2.95Better | $2.95 | — | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $148 | $145Better | Wichita wins −$3/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $178 | $155Wins | Wichita wins −$23/mo | $276/yr saves in Wichita |
| Internet/mo | $55Better | $58 | Jackson wins +$3/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $42K | $52KWins | Wichita wins +$10K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 4.7%Wins | 5.7% | Jackson wins +1.0 pp | $600/yr saves in Jackson |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 7.1%Wins | 8.7% | Jackson wins +1.6 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $12.00Better | $13.00 | Jackson wins +$1.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $30Better | $30 | — | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $4.50Better | $4.50 | — | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 79Better | 82 | Jackson wins +3 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 22 | 28Wins | Wichita wins +6 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
Grow your move fund while you shop for homes
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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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Jackson cheaper than Wichita?
Yes. Jackson is 4% cheaper than Wichita based on overall cost of living indices (79 vs 82, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Jackson vs Wichita?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Jackson is $1,000/month and in Wichita is $1,000/month. Jackson is more expensive by 0%.
How much do I need to earn in Wichita to match a $75,000 salary in Jackson?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $77,848/year in Wichita 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 Wichita?
Jackson has the lower state income tax rate at 4.7% vs 5.7%. The difference is 1.0 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 Wichita?
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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