CostIndexUSA

Jackson, MS vs Monroe, LA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MS
Jackson
89
overall index
$1,500/mo rent
More AffordableLA
Monroe
83.6
overall index
$1,100/mo rent

Monroe is moderately cheaper than Jackson — 6.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Jackson, you would need $75,100 in Monroe. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing34.0%
Jackson
64.8
Monroe
42.8
🛒 Groceries2.6%
Jackson
96.2
Monroe
93.7
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Jackson
100.9
Monroe
100.5
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Jackson
91.3
Monroe
90.9
Utilities7.6%
Jackson
78.1
Monroe
72.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Monroe, LA
$75,100
$4,900 less needed in Monroe

Formula: salary × (83.6 ÷ 89) = salary × 0.9393. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Jackson, MS

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

Monroe, LA

Median Home Price
$157,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,100
Housing Index
42.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.9×

Jackson has 34.0% lower housing costs compared to Monroe.

Income & Job Market

Jackson, MS

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

Monroe, LA

Median Household Income
$50,300
Per Capita Income
$28,700
Unemployment Rate
7.3%
Population
47,252
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingGovernmentRetail

Affordability at a Glance

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

Jackson, MS
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

69% of income left after rent (median)

Monroe, LA
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

74% 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.