Houston vs Jackson: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Houston, Texas compare to Jackson, Mississippi? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Jackson is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 124% higher in Houston compared to Jackson, while rent is 26% higher. TX has no state income tax.
| Metric | Houston, TX | Jackson, MS | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $235,000 | $104,900 | +124.0% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,235 | $980 | +26.0% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $60,440 | $42,193 | +43.2% |
| Per Capita Income | $38,834 | $25,413 | +52.8% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | None | 5.0% | -100.0% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 8.2% | 7.1% | +16.0% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 2,296,253 | 153,271 | +1398.2% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Houston
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Jackson
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Houston costs $235,000 compared to $104,900 in Jackson — a 124% premium.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,235/mo in Houston vs $980/mo in Jackson.
- Income: Median household income is $60,440 in Houston and $42,193 in Jackson.
- Taxes: Texas has no state income tax, while Mississippi has a 5% rate.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).