Moving from Charleston to Jackson (2026)

Jackson has a COL index of 79 vs 97 for Charleston (100 = US average). You'd pay about 19% less for the same lifestyle.

Save ~$994/mo
on rent + taxes ยท $75K salary baseline

Change cities

Key differences

COL index
97 โ†’ 79
100 = US avg
1BR rent
$1,900 โ†’ $1,000
per month
State tax
6.2% โ†’ 4.7%
income tax
COL difference
97 โ†’ 79
19% cheaper

Salary needed in Jackson to match your Charleston lifestyle

Based on the 19% cost of living decrease between the two cities.

Your salary in CharlestonEquivalent in Jackson
$40K$32,577
$50K$40,722
$60K$48,866
$75K$61,082
$80K$65,155
$100K$81,443
$120K$97,732
$150K$122,165

๐Ÿ’ต Household income (before tax)

$75K
$
$30K$300K
Save ~$939/moon core expenses at $75K

Monthly budget at $75K โ€” Charleston vs Jackson

ExpenseCharlestonJackson
Monthly take-home$4,353$4,447
1BR rent$1,900$1,000
Groceries$376$346
Transport$55$38
Utilities$162$178
Internet$63$55
Left after essentials$1,797$2,830

30-Year Wealth Builder

If you invest your monthly savings of $939 in a low-cost index fund (7% avg return), you'd accumulate an extra:

$1,145,553

over 30 years compared to staying in Charleston โ€” that's the real price of a city.

$939/mo invested

Frequently asked questions

Is Jackson cheaper than Charleston?

Yes. Jackson has a cost of living index of 79 vs 97 for Charleston (100 = US average). That's about 19% cheaper.

How much will I save moving from Charleston to Jackson?

On a $75K salary, moving from Charleston to Jackson saves roughly $994/month on core expenses. That's ~$11,928/year.

What salary do I need in Jackson to match my Charleston lifestyle?

To maintain the same purchasing power as $75,000 in Charleston, you'd need roughly $61,082/year in Jackson. This is based on the overall COL index difference.

Estimates based on Q1 2026 COL index and market data. Budget uses simplified federal/state tax rates. Zillow ยท BLS ยท Numbeo ยท For general guidance only