Cost of Living: San Jose, CA vs Jackson, MS (2026)

San Jose

California
254
VS

Jackson

Mississippi
58

San Jose is 338% more expensive than Jackson.

$2,617/mo ↑ 157%
Median Rent
$1,018/mo ↓ 61%
$141,565/yr ↑ 227%
Median Income
$43,238/yr ↓ 69%
$1,187,800 ↑ 998%
Home Value
$108,200 ↓ 91%
$2,775/mo ↑ 190%
Owner Costs
$956/mo ↓ 66%
990,054
Population
149,827

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
5.0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
7.0%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.67%

Affordability

22.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
28.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Jose, CA and Jackson, MS, the overall cost of living indices are 254 and 58 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,599/month cheaper in Jackson, saving renters about $19,188/year.

Median household income is $98,327/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Jose is $1,187,800 compared to $108,200 in Jackson.

Mississippi has a lower income tax rate, making Jackson slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Jose vs Jackson — common questions

Is San Jose or Jackson cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Jackson is cheaper to live in with an index of 58 compared to 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Jose and Jackson?
Median rent in San Jose is $2,617/month and in Jackson it's $1,018/month — a difference of $1,599/month.
Which city has higher income, San Jose or Jackson?
Median household income is $141,565 in San Jose and $43,238 in Jackson. Median household income is $98,327/year higher in San Jose.
How do taxes compare between California and Mississippi?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Mississippi has 5.0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.67% property tax.
Should I move to San Jose or Jackson?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has a cost index of 254 with median rent of $2,617/mo, while Jackson has a cost index of 58 with rent of $1,018/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Jose details → View Jackson details →

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