Cost of Living: Tampa, FL vs Jackson, MS (2026)

Tampa

Florida
113
VS

Jackson

Mississippi
58

Tampa is 95% more expensive than Jackson.

$1,567/mo ↑ 54%
Median Rent
$1,018/mo ↓ 35%
$71,302/yr ↑ 65%
Median Income
$43,238/yr ↓ 39%
$375,300 ↑ 247%
Home Value
$108,200 ↓ 71%
$1,553/mo ↑ 62%
Owner Costs
$956/mo ↓ 38%
393,389
Population
149,827

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.0%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
7.0%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.67%

Affordability

26.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
28.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Tampa, FL and Jackson, MS, the overall cost of living indices are 113 and 58 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $549/month cheaper in Jackson, saving renters about $6,588/year.

Median household income is $28,064/year higher in Tampa. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Tampa is $375,300 compared to $108,200 in Jackson.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Tampa vs Jackson — common questions

Is Tampa or Jackson cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Jackson is cheaper to live in with an index of 58 compared to 113 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Tampa and Jackson?
Median rent in Tampa is $1,567/month and in Jackson it's $1,018/month — a difference of $549/month.
Which city has higher income, Tampa or Jackson?
Median household income is $71,302 in Tampa and $43,238 in Jackson. Median household income is $28,064/year higher in Tampa.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Mississippi?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Mississippi has 5.0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.67% property tax.
Should I move to Tampa or Jackson?
It depends on your priorities. Tampa has a cost index of 113 with median rent of $1,567/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 Tampa details → View Jackson details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Tampa and Jackson

Tampa vs. Arlington Tampa vs. Aurora Tampa vs. Wichita Tampa vs. New Orleans Tampa vs. Bakersfield Tampa vs. Cleveland Jackson vs. Escondido Jackson vs. Joliet Jackson vs. Bellevue Jackson vs. Surprise Jackson vs. Charleston Jackson vs. Naperville