Moving from Raleigh to Jackson (2026)

Jackson has a COL index of 79 vs 101 for Raleigh (100 = US average). You'd pay about 22% less for the same lifestyle.

Save ~$687/mo
on rent + taxes ยท $75K salary baseline

Change cities

Key differences

COL index
101 โ†’ 79
100 = US avg
1BR rent
$1,700 โ†’ $1,000
per month
State tax
4.5% โ†’ 4.7%
income tax
COL difference
101 โ†’ 79
22% cheaper

Salary needed in Jackson to match your Raleigh lifestyle

Based on the 22% cost of living decrease between the two cities.

Your salary in RaleighEquivalent in Jackson
$40K$31,287
$50K$39,109
$60K$46,931
$75K$58,663
$80K$62,574
$100K$78,218
$120K$93,861
$150K$117,327

๐Ÿ’ต Household income (before tax)

$75K
$
$30K$300K
Save ~$728/moon core expenses at $75K

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

ExpenseRaleighJackson
Monthly take-home$4,459$4,447
1BR rent$1,700$1,000
Groceries$365$346
Transport$70$38
Utilities$150$178
Internet$60$55
Left after essentials$2,114$2,830

30-Year Wealth Builder

If you invest your monthly savings of $728 in a low-cost index fund (7% avg return), you'd accumulate an extra:

$888,139

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

$728/mo invested

Frequently asked questions

Is Jackson cheaper than Raleigh?

Yes. Jackson has a cost of living index of 79 vs 101 for Raleigh (100 = US average). That's about 22% cheaper.

How much will I save moving from Raleigh to Jackson?

On a $75K salary, moving from Raleigh to Jackson saves roughly $687/month on core expenses. That's ~$8,244/year.

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

To maintain the same purchasing power as $75,000 in Raleigh, you'd need roughly $58,663/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