CostIndexUSA

Harrisburg, PA vs Jackson, MS Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

PA
Harrisburg
98.7
overall index
$1,400/mo rent
More AffordableMS
Jackson
89
overall index
$1,500/mo rent

Jackson is moderately cheaper than Harrisburg — 9.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Harrisburg, you would need $72,100 in Jackson. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing32.7%
Harrisburg
96.3
Jackson
64.8
🛒 Groceries4.5%
Harrisburg
100.7
Jackson
96.2
🚗 Transportation1.7%
Harrisburg
102.6
Jackson
100.9
🏥 Healthcare1.6%
Harrisburg
92.8
Jackson
91.3
Utilities27.8%
Harrisburg
108.1
Jackson
78.1

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Harrisburg to see what you'd need to earn in Jackson to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Jackson, MS
$72,100
$7,900 less needed in Jackson

Formula: salary × (89 ÷ 98.7) = salary × 0.9017. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Harrisburg, PA

Median Home Price
$298,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,400
Housing Index
96.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.7×

Jackson, MS

Median Home Price
$205,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,500
Housing Index
64.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.4×

Harrisburg has 32.7% lower housing costs compared to Jackson.

Income & Job Market

Harrisburg, PA

Median Household Income
$76,800
Per Capita Income
$43,800
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
49,192
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareFinanceEducationManufacturing

Jackson, MS

Median Household Income
$58,600
Per Capita Income
$33,400
Unemployment Rate
5.1%
Population
153,701
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareRetailManufacturingEducation

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Harrisburg, PA
4.6×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Jackson, MS
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

69% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.