CostIndexUSA

Jackson, MS vs San Jose, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableMS
Jackson
89
overall index
$1,500/mo rent
CA
San Jose
110.4
overall index
$3,400/mo rent

Jackson is significantly cheaper than San Jose — 24.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Jackson, you would need $99,200 in San Jose. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+227.0%
Jackson
64.8
San Jose
211.9
🛒 Groceries+9.4%
Jackson
96.2
San Jose
105.2
🚗 Transportation+4.4%
Jackson
100.9
San Jose
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+4.4%
Jackson
91.3
San Jose
95.3
Utilities+100.6%
Jackson
78.1
San Jose
156.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in San Jose, CA
$99,200
$19,200 more needed in San Jose

Formula: salary × (110.4 ÷ 89) = salary × 1.2404. 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×

San Jose, CA

Median Home Price
$1,569,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,400
Housing Index
211.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
38.5×

San Jose has 227.0% higher housing costs compared to Jackson.

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

San Jose, CA

Median Household Income
$153,200
Per Capita Income
$87,300
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
1,013,240
Top Industries
TechnologySemiconductorsSoftwareHealthcareFinance

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)

San Jose, CA
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

73% 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.