Milwaukee vs Jackson: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin 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 50% higher in Milwaukee compared to Jackson, while rent is 0% higher. State income tax is 7.65% in WI vs 5% in MS.
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Jackson, MS | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $157,800 | $104,900 | +50.4% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $982 | $980 | same |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $49,733 | $42,193 | +17.9% |
| Per Capita Income | $28,079 | $25,413 | +10.5% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 7.7% | 5.0% | +53.0% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 5.4% | 7.1% | -23.2% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 573,299 | 153,271 | +274.0% |
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 — Milwaukee
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 Milwaukee costs $157,800 compared to $104,900 in Jackson — a 50% premium.
- Rent: Median rent is $982/mo in Milwaukee vs $980/mo in Jackson.
- Income: Median household income is $49,733 in Milwaukee and $42,193 in Jackson.
- Taxes: State income tax is 7.65% in Wisconsin vs 5% in Mississippi.
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).