Cost of Living in Jackson, MI
Jackson, MI — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.
Salary comparison calculator
What would you need to earn in Jackson, MI to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?
Prices in Jackson, MI vs. the U.S. average
| Category | Index (U.S. = 100) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 91.8 | −8.2% |
| Housing | 67.1 | −32.9% |
| Goods | 93.7 | −6.3% |
| Utilities | 97.8 | −2.2% |
| Other services | 99.6 | −0.4% |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rent in Jackson, MI
| Unit | Monthly rent | Income needed (30% rule) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $838 | $33,520/yr |
| 1 bedroom | $946 | $37,840/yr |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,165 | $46,600/yr |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,534 | $61,360/yr |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,626 | $65,040/yr |
HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.
Take-home pay in Jackson, MI
- Federal income tax$3,551
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,961
- Medicare (1.45%)$693
- Michigan income tax$1,779
- Take-home pay$38,776
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.25% state
Highest-paying jobs in Jackson, MI
*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.
Frequently asked questions
Is Jackson, MI expensive to live in?
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, overall prices in the Jackson, MI metro area are 91.8% of the U.S. average, with housing at 67.1%. It is the #249 most expensive of 387 metro areas we track.
What salary do you need to live in Jackson, MI?
To match the buying power of a $60,000 salary in an average-priced U.S. city you would need about $55,067 in Jackson, MI (before tax differences). The median wage across all jobs here is $47,760.
How much is rent in Jackson, MI?
HUD’s FY2026 fair market rents for Jackson, MI are $838 for a studio, $946 for one bedroom, $1,165 for two bedrooms and $1,534 for three bedrooms, including utilities.
All salaries in Jackson, MI
Management Occupations
- General and Operations Manager — $91,950
Business and Financial Operations Occupations
- Accountant and Auditor — $81,470
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — $63,770
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary — $36,620
Healthcare Support Occupations
- Nursing Assistant — $40,080
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $34,180
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations
- Waiter and Waitress — $39,920
- Cooks, Restaurant — $36,680
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $27,390
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker — $36,520
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners — $34,970
Sales and Related Occupations
- Retail Salesperson — $34,770
- Cashier — $29,370
Office and Administrative Support Occupations
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks — $48,690
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive — $47,020
- Office Clerks, General — $44,260
- Customer Service Representative — $42,230
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $47,090
Production Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Production and Operating Workers — $74,090
- Machinist — $49,840
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers — $45,460
- Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator — $40,700
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $56,080
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $36,620
- Stocker and Order Filler — $34,560