Cost of Living: Tacoma, WA vs Jackson, MS (2026)

Tacoma

Washington
126
VS

Jackson

Mississippi
58

Tacoma is 117% more expensive than Jackson.

$1,597/mo ↑ 57%
Median Rent
$1,018/mo ↓ 36%
$83,857/yr ↑ 94%
Median Income
$43,238/yr ↓ 48%
$454,600 ↑ 320%
Home Value
$108,200 ↓ 76%
$1,747/mo ↑ 83%
Owner Costs
$956/mo ↓ 45%
220,482
Population
149,827

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.0%
6.5%
State Sales Tax
7.0%
0.92%
Property Tax
0.67%

Affordability

22.9%
rent-to-income
Affordability
28.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Tacoma, WA and Jackson, MS, the overall cost of living indices are 126 and 58 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $579/month cheaper in Jackson, saving renters about $6,948/year.

Median household income is $40,619/year higher in Tacoma. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Tacoma is $454,600 compared to $108,200 in Jackson.

Washington has no state income tax, giving Tacoma residents a significant tax advantage over Mississippi's 5.0% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tacoma vs Jackson — common questions

Is Tacoma or Jackson cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Jackson is cheaper to live in with an index of 58 compared to 126 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Tacoma and Jackson?
Median rent in Tacoma is $1,597/month and in Jackson it's $1,018/month — a difference of $579/month.
Which city has higher income, Tacoma or Jackson?
Median household income is $83,857 in Tacoma and $43,238 in Jackson. Median household income is $40,619/year higher in Tacoma.
How do taxes compare between Washington and Mississippi?
Washington has 0% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax. Mississippi has 5.0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.67% property tax.
Should I move to Tacoma or Jackson?
It depends on your priorities. Tacoma has a cost index of 126 with median rent of $1,597/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 Tacoma details → View Jackson details →

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