Birmingham, AL vs Jackson, MS: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Jackson, MS is 2.8% less expensive than Birmingham, AL (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Birmingham works out to about $72,900 in Jackson, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is everyday costs rather than housing: goods are 0.2% lower and other services 0.6% lower in Jackson, while housing is 9.9% lower.
- Typical asking rent is $1,470 a month in Jackson and $1,404 in Birmingham, $792 a year more in Jackson (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $212,000 in Jackson and $261,000 in Birmingham.
- The gap is about where it was in 2019 (2.6%).
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Everyday costs, not housing, drive the gap between Birmingham and Jackson
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Birmingham, AL
- Jackson, MS
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Birmingham, AL | Jackson, MS | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 91.6 | 89.0 |
| Goods | 96.4 | 96.2 |
| Housing (rents) | 71.9 | 64.8 |
| Utilities | 83.8 | 78.1 |
| Other services | 96.7 | 96.1 |
| Category | Birmingham | Jackson | Jackson vs Birmingham |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 91.6 | 89.0 | −2.8% |
| Goods | 96.4 | 96.2 | −0.2% |
| Housing (rents) | 71.9 | 64.8 | −9.9% |
| Utilities | 83.8 | 78.1 | −6.8% |
| Other services | 96.7 | 96.1 | −0.6% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,404 | $1,470 | +4.7% |
| Typical home value | $261,000 | $212,000 | −18.6% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Birmingham | $75,000 | $72,900 | −2.8% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Birmingham and Jackson has widened since 2008: 1.1 points then, 2.6 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Birmingham, AL
- Jackson, MS
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Birmingham, AL | Jackson, MS | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 92.7 | 91.6 |
| 2009 | 91.5 | 90.9 |
| 2010 | 93.3 | 93.3 |
| 2011 | 94.3 | 93.1 |
| 2012 | 93.7 | 93.0 |
| 2013 | 93.9 | 93.0 |
| 2014 | 93.2 | 92.7 |
| 2015 | 93.1 | 92.9 |
| 2016 | 94.1 | 93.5 |
| 2017 | 92.8 | 92.6 |
| 2018 | 90.1 | 88.7 |
| 2019 | 90.9 | 88.6 |
| 2020 | 91.4 | 88.9 |
| 2021 | 90.4 | 88.5 |
| 2022 | 91.0 | 90.2 |
| 2023 | 91.8 | 89.8 |
| 2024 | 91.6 | 89.0 |
Goods
- Birmingham, AL
- Jackson, MS
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Birmingham, AL | Jackson, MS | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 96.5 | 96.7 |
| 2009 | 94.5 | 94.4 |
| 2010 | 96.5 | 96.7 |
| 2011 | 96.3 | 96.3 |
| 2012 | 96.3 | 95.7 |
| 2013 | 96.9 | 96.3 |
| 2014 | 97.3 | 96.7 |
| 2015 | 96.2 | 95.5 |
| 2016 | 96.9 | 96.3 |
| 2017 | 96.6 | 95.9 |
| 2018 | 92.5 | 93.1 |
| 2019 | 94.6 | 94.9 |
| 2020 | 94.3 | 94.6 |
| 2021 | 93.9 | 94.2 |
| 2022 | 94.7 | 94.2 |
| 2023 | 94.6 | 94.4 |
| 2024 | 96.4 | 96.2 |
Housing (rents)
- Birmingham, AL
- Jackson, MS
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Birmingham, AL | Jackson, MS | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 71.4 | 68.3 |
| 2009 | 70.9 | 71.7 |
| 2010 | 72.9 | 75.3 |
| 2011 | 75.1 | 71.5 |
| 2012 | 71.4 | 71.2 |
| 2013 | 72.5 | 71.4 |
| 2014 | 68.8 | 68.5 |
| 2015 | 68.7 | 72.2 |
| 2016 | 69.8 | 71.9 |
| 2017 | 67.5 | 70.9 |
| 2018 | 70.4 | 66.0 |
| 2019 | 69.8 | 61.3 |
| 2020 | 74.3 | 66.3 |
| 2021 | 70.3 | 64.4 |
| 2022 | 68.9 | 67.3 |
| 2023 | 71.7 | 65.6 |
| 2024 | 71.9 | 64.8 |
Utilities
- Birmingham, AL
- Jackson, MS
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Birmingham, AL | Jackson, MS | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 93.0 | 88.2 |
| 2009 | 93.8 | 84.4 |
| 2010 | 95.5 | 84.7 |
| 2011 | 95.1 | 84.1 |
| 2012 | 95.6 | 85.0 |
| 2013 | 95.0 | 85.9 |
| 2014 | 95.4 | 88.8 |
| 2015 | 95.2 | 89.3 |
| 2016 | 94.2 | 85.0 |
| 2017 | 91.9 | 84.9 |
| 2018 | 87.4 | 79.9 |
| 2019 | 85.4 | 78.4 |
| 2020 | 83.8 | 77.6 |
| 2021 | 85.9 | 80.4 |
| 2022 | 87.0 | 80.3 |
| 2023 | 90.0 | 83.6 |
| 2024 | 83.8 | 78.1 |
Other services
- Birmingham, AL
- Jackson, MS
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Birmingham, AL | Jackson, MS | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 98.3 | 97.7 |
| 2009 | 97.7 | 97.0 |
| 2010 | 99.4 | 98.9 |
| 2011 | 100.8 | 100.8 |
| 2012 | 101.5 | 100.8 |
| 2013 | 100.4 | 100.4 |
| 2014 | 100.2 | 100.2 |
| 2015 | 100.7 | 100.2 |
| 2016 | 101.7 | 100.8 |
| 2017 | 100.2 | 99.2 |
| 2018 | 95.9 | 95.7 |
| 2019 | 96.9 | 96.2 |
| 2020 | 96.5 | 95.2 |
| 2021 | 96.1 | 94.7 |
| 2022 | 97.1 | 97.1 |
| 2023 | 98.2 | 97.7 |
| 2024 | 96.7 | 96.1 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,470 in Jackson vs $1,404 in Birmingham
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Birmingham, AL
- Jackson, MS
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Birmingham, AL | Jackson, MS | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $897 | – | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $898 | – | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $900 | – | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $903 | – | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $911 | – | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $923 | $969 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $917 | $975 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $916 | $978 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $927 | $980 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $936 | $996 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $942 | $988 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $939 | $995 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $954 | $1,015 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $974 | $1,005 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $970 | $1,006 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $984 | $1,022 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $990 | $1,021 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,008 | $1,020 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,012 | $1,036 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,011 | $1,053 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,027 | $1,064 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,036 | $1,057 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,062 | $1,079 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,069 | $1,087 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,080 | $1,097 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,123 | $1,143 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,161 | $1,165 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,175 | $1,173 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,197 | $1,185 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,225 | $1,224 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,239 | $1,259 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,231 | $1,249 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,255 | $1,250 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,289 | $1,289 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,297 | $1,295 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,289 | $1,290 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,308 | $1,308 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,325 | $1,345 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,337 | $1,359 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,338 | $1,367 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,351 | $1,382 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,367 | $1,397 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,364 | $1,415 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,361 | $1,426 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,371 | $1,439 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,383 | $1,459 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,404 | $1,470 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $212,000 in Jackson vs $261,000 in Birmingham
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Birmingham, AL
- Jackson, MS
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Birmingham, AL | Jackson, MS | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $147K | $126K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $149K | $129K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $150K | $131K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $153K | $133K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $154K | $134K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $155K | $135K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $155K | $136K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $157K | $137K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $159K | $137K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $160K | $138K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $162K | $139K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $164K | $141K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $166K | $142K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $167K | $143K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $170K | $144K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $172K | $145K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $176K | $148K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $178K | $151K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $179K | $152K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $183K | $153K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $188K | $155K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $191K | $156K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $195K | $158K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $203K | $163K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $211K | $169K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $219K | $175K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $224K | $179K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $230K | $184K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $242K | $190K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $252K | $195K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $255K | $198K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $253K | $198K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $251K | $195K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $255K | $199K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $256K | $201K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $254K | $198K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $254K | $198K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $255K | $201K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $254K | $200K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $255K | $203K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $255K | $208K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $254K | $207K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $254K | $207K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $256K | $208K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $258K | $212K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $259K | $213K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $261K | $212K | $366K |
More about each city
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.