Mississippi · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Jackson County, MS

The median household in Jackson County, MS earns $66,201 a year ($5,517/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,067/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $42,680 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 10% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$66,201$5,517 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,067HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)90.0-10% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate14.9¢per kWh · EIA Residential MS
Census Population145,249Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Jackson County, MS

Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,067Monthly market rent
Share of gross income19.3%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$42,680To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,655At 30% of $66,201
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Jackson County, MS

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Pascagoula, MS HUD Metro FMR Area. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent Schedule for Jackson County, MS
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$929$11,148$37,16016.8%
1-Bedroom Apartment$951$11,412$38,04017.2%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,067$12,804$42,68019.3%
3-Bedroom Home$1,448$17,376$57,92026.2%
4-Bedroom Home$1,762$21,144$70,48031.9%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Jackson County, MS →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Jackson County, MS

Based on the local median household income of $66,201/year ($5,517/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,758/moRent ($1,067 2-BR), utilities (~$134/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,655/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 90.0 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,103/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Mississippi

Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Mississippi state income tax based on the local median baseline.

$66,201
$25,000$135,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$66,201
Net 81%
Fed 9%
MS 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$53,456After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,455Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,056Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$5,764 / yr
Mississippi state income tax$1,916 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,064 / yr

Compare earnings and living costs across Mississippi with official federal datasets:

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Jackson County, MS

What is the median household income in Jackson County, MS?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Jackson County, MS is $66,201 per year (approximately $5,517 per month).

What is the average rent in Jackson County, MS?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Jackson County, MS are $929 for a studio, $951 for 1 bedroom, $1,067 for 2 bedrooms, $1,448 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,762 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Jackson County, MS compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Jackson County, MS is 90.0 (10% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Jackson County, MS?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,067/month) in Jackson County, MS requires a minimum gross household income of $42,680 per year ($3,557 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Jackson County, MS?

For a typical household earning the median income of $66,201/year ($5,517/month) in Jackson County, MS, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,758/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,655/month to discretionary spending, and $1,103/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Jackson County, MS?

Residential electricity rates in Mississippi average 14.9¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $134 per month.