Jackson is the capital and largest city in the state of Mississippi. The city's current slogan "Jackson, Mississippi: City with Soul" honors its role in the development of some of the nation's greatest jazz, gospel, and blues musicians. In fact, Jackson is one of the cities on the famed Mississippi Blues Trail. Nearly 175,000 people live within the city of Jackson, but over 500,000 people call the Jackson metropolitan area their home. Forbes magazine ranked Jackson third out of the largest 100 metropolitan areas in the United States for the "Bang For Your Buck" residents enjoy. Jackson is a highly affordable southern city rich in tradition and history.
The average home price in Jackson is $115,000. The median list price is 21% higher than it was one year ago. The market for condominiums and townhouses stayed flat over the past year with a median list price around $105,000. In general, you can expect higher prices in the northern part of Jackson compared to the southern area of the city.
Rental rates in Jackson are quite affordable. The average monthly rate for all rental units hovers around $900. One-bedroom apartments have an average rate of $714, and two-bedroom apartments currently have an average rent of $899. Driven by the demand for two-bedroom apartments, in particular, average rental rates rose by around 10% over the past year.
Homes near the Country Club of Jackson and in the northeastern suburbs are considerably higher than they are in the rest of the city. Prices in these areas can easily reach $1 million. You will find a large variety in the types and prices of homes for sale and for rent in the Jackson metropolitan area.
Overall utility prices in Jackson are 94% of the national average. Entergy provides electricity to the residents of Jackson. While the unit cost of electricity is rather low for Mississippi residents (35th in the nation), the average electric bills are some of the highest in the country. The average monthly electric bill is around $122. High heat and high humidity during a large portion of the year lead to relatively high average monthly electricity costs.
Within the city limits, most residents have at least two options for Internet service. Comcast is the only company that provides cable Internet service. AT&T provides DSL Internet access with similar plans and prices. You can, however, get a basic DSL service plan for under $50.
Groceries in Jackson cost around 90% of the national average. You can buy a quart of milk for around $1.64 or a pound of chicken breast for $3.28. A 2-liter bottle of coke costs around $1.73. Although Jackson does not have some of the high-end grocery store chains found in some larger cities, there are numerous superstores, regional grocery store chains, and discount retailers that sell groceries.
The cost of dining out for lunch in Jackson can range from a $7 fast food combo meal to an average $15 lunch special at a restaurant in the downtown business district. Whether you choose a cappuccino after work or a pint of beer at the pub, both are going to cost you between $4.50 and $5.00. A cocktail at a club is around $9.00.
With over 300 restaurants, Jackson has a wide variety of restaurants ranging from popular regional and national chains to local favorites. A basic dinner for two at an average restaurant is around $43. Dinner at a nicer restaurant with wine and dessert, however, easily doubles to above $80. Add two movie tickets for around $19, and your bill for date night is at $100.
Jackson's rich musical roots form the backbone for a surprisingly active and diverse arts community. You can find nightly music performances at various downtown clubs. Tickets for theater performances are usually under $50 each. In addition, a variety of historic sites and museums are free or inexpensive to visit. For example, tickets to the Eudora Welty House and Gardens are just $5.00 each for adults.
Sports fans may be disappointed that there are not any professional sports teams located in the state. College sports are very popular, and you can join the rest of the state in pledging allegiance to one of the state's three biggest universities: Ole Miss, Mississippi State, and Southern Miss. Jackson is the home to the Mississippi Braves, an AA affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. General admission tickets for these games are only $6.00.
If you can stand the long, hot summers and accompanying high electricity costs, Jackson is a relatively affordable and livable city. The city has a rich cultural heritage and continues to be home to a vibrant music, literature, art, and dance community. The cost of living is slightly lower than the national average when comparing utilities, groceries, dining, and entertainment. Housing costs are well below the national average though housing in Jackson tends to follow the general national market trends. A salary of $30,000 in Atlanta or Dallas is comparable to a salary of $25,279 or $26,328 in Jackson, respectively. Life in Jackson is more affordable than other large southern cities, and you will experience a city full of traditional southern hospitality.
