Wondering how far your dollar stretches in Jackson compared to Youngstown? Below we break down housing costs, rent, taxes, income, and quality of life using 2026 data so you can make an informed relocation or remote-work decision. Every number is computed from Census, BLS, and Zillow data specific to these two metro areas.
| Jackson | Metric | Youngstown | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 79 | Cost of Living Index | 78 | -1.3% |
| $155,000 | Median Home Price | $110,000 | -29.0% |
| $850 | Median Monthly Rent | $750 | -11.8% |
| $44,200 | Median Household Income | $44,200 | +0.0% |
| 0.8% | Property Tax Rate | 1.6% | +95.1% |
| 6.2% | Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | -3.2% |
| 22 min | Average Commute | 22 min | +0.0% |
| 33.2 | Median Age | 39.5 | +19.0% |
| 580,000 | Metro Population | 535,000 | -7.8% |
Data sourced from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024-2025). COL Index: 100 = national average.
Monthly mortgage assumes 6.5% interest, 30-year fixed, 20.0%down payment. PITI includes principal, interest, property tax, and homeowner's insurance.
Buying a home in Jackson costs $935/month (PITI) compared to $735/month in Youngstown — a difference of $200/month or $2,400/year. The price-to-income ratio is 3.5x in Jackson versus 2.5x in Youngstown, suggesting Youngstown is relatively more affordable for homebuyers relative to local incomes. At a 15% savings rate, it takes 4.7 years to save a down payment in Jackson compared to 3.3 years in Youngstown.
Estimated on each city's median household income, single filer, standard deduction, 2025 rates.
| Tax Category | Jackson | Youngstown |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Income | $44,200 | $44,200 |
| State Income Tax | $1,140 | $433 |
| Federal Income Tax | $3,175 | $3,175 |
| FICA (SS + Medicare) | $3,381 | $3,381 |
| Property Tax (on median home) | $1,271/yr | $1,760/yr |
| State Sales Tax Rate | 7.0% | 5.8% |
| Total Tax Burden | $7,696 (17.4%) | $6,989 (15.8%) |
| Take-Home Pay | $36,504 | $37,211 |
On median household income, total taxes (federal + state + FICA) come to $7,696 in Jackson (17.4% effective) versus $6,989 in Youngstown (15.8% effective). After taxes, take-home pay is $36,504 in Jackson and $37,211 in Youngstown. Property taxes add $1,271/year on the median Jackson home versus $1,760/year in Youngstown.
These figures adjust for cost of living using the formula: adjusted = salary × (COL_destination / COL_origin). If you earn $44,200 in Jackson (COL 79) and relocate to Youngstown (COL 78), you would need $43,641 to maintain the same purchasing power. This means you can take a pay cut of $559 and still maintain your lifestyle in Youngstown.
Beyond costs, quality of life matters. The average commute in Jackson is 22 minutes versus 22 minutes in Youngstown, a difference of 0 minutes each way. Youngstown's lower unemployment rate of 6.0% versus 6.2% suggests a stronger job market. Youngstown skews slightly older with a median age of 39.5 vs 33.2 in Jackson.
Jackson and Youngstown have very similar costs of living, with COL indices of 79 and 78 respectively (national average = 100). Day-to-day expenses, housing, and taxes are comparable between the two metro areas.
The median home price in Jackson is $155,000, which is $45,000 more than Youngstown's median of $110,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $850/month in Jackson vs $750/month in Youngstown, a difference of $100/month or $1,200/year.
To maintain the same standard of living, a $44,200 salary in Jackson is equivalent to $43,641 in Youngstown. This is based on the cost of living index ratio: Jackson's COL index of 79 vs Youngstown's 78. Conversely, $44,200 in Youngstown equals $44,767 in Jackson.
On a median household income, the combined federal, state, and FICA tax burden is $7,696 (17.4% effective rate) in Jackson vs $6,989 (15.8% effective rate) in Youngstown. Property taxes on the median home are $1,271/year in Jackson (0.8% rate) vs $1,760/year in Youngstown (1.6% rate). Sales tax rates are 7.0% in Mississippi and 5.8% in Ohio.
Jackson median household income: $44,200/yr. Youngstown median household income: $44,200/yr (Census ACS).
Median monthly rent: $850 in Jackson vs $750 in Youngstown. Annualized that is $10,200 vs $9,000.
Youngstown offers a lower cost of living (index 78 vs 79), which lets remote-workers keeping a coastal salary stretch further. Jackson typically wins on amenities and labor-market depth.
Jackson and Youngstown numbers are pulled from Zillow ZHVI/ZORI (home values, rent), the U.S. Census Bureau ACS (income, demographics), and BEA RPP (cost-of-living index). Each value is timestamped on the page.
Source feeds (Zillow, Freddie Mac PMMS, Census ACS, BEA RPP) are refreshed on their native cadence. Page caches revalidate every 24 hours via Next.js ISR.
No. The Jackson vs Youngstown cost-of-living page is educational reference using public data and standard formulas. It is not personalized tax, legal, or investment advice. Consult a licensed professional for material decisions.
Home prices use Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI)[1]; rents use Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI)[1]. Median household income comes from the Census ACS 5-year estimates[2].
COL indices use the BEA Regional Price Parity methodology[3], normalized so 100 = national average.
Property tax rates are effective rates from the Tax Foundation[4], expressed as % of owner-occupied home value. Mortgage estimates assume 6.5% fixed rate[5], 30-year term, 20.0% down, $1,800/yr homeowners insurance.
Federal tax calculations[6] assume single filer, standard deduction. State tax uses the top marginal rate times taxable income after the state standard deduction. FICA = 6.2% Social Security (up to wage base) + 1.45% Medicare.
Salary equivalence uses adjusted = salary × (COL_destination / COL_origin). This captures cost-of-living shift but not state income tax differences.
Unemployment figures are the most recent monthly MSA-level readings from the BLS LAUS series[7].
Last reviewed is computed from the maximum retrievedAt across every source this page consumes.
City data from Census Bureau[2], BLS[7], and Zillow[1] (2024-2025). Tax calculations use 2025 IRS rates[6], single filer, standard deduction. Mortgage estimates assume 6.5% PMMS rate[5], 30-year term, 20.0% down. COL Index: 100 = national average[3]. Last reviewed .