City comparison
Jackson, MS vs Lexington, KY
What a paycheck is really worth in each city: prices, rent and state taxes.
Key findings
- Prices in Lexington, KY are 4.3% higher than in Jackson, MS. Someone earning $100,000 in Jackson, MS would need about $104,300 in Lexington, KY to live the same way.
- Typical 1-bedroom rents are close: $1,097 a month in Jackson, MS and $1,079 in Lexington, KY.
- Estimated state income tax on $100,000 is close: $3,268 a year in MS and $3,382 in KY.
- Both cities are in the same federal pay area (Rest of U.S.), so a GS-13 step 1 earns $106,437 in either. A transfer from Jackson, MS to Lexington, KY changes real buying power by −4.1%, purely from prices.
- Jackson, MS: price level 89.0 (much cheaper)
- Lexington, KY: price level 92.9 (cheaper)
Map drawn from Census Bureau state boundaries and metro locations9,10; dot colours show BEA price levels2.
Side by side
| Jackson, MS | Lexington, KY | |
|---|---|---|
| Price level (U.S. = 100)2 | 89.0 | 92.9 |
| $100,000 is worth, in the other city2 | $104,313 in Lexington | $95,865 in Jackson |
| Typical 1-bedroom rent3 | $1,097/mo | $1,079/mo |
| Take-home on $100,00014,15,8 | $75,912 | $75,798 |
| State income tax on $100,000 (estimate)8 | $3,268 (MS) | $3,382 (KY) |
| Rent burden on $100,000 | 17% | 17% |
| Median pay, all jobs4 | $42,850 | $48,620 |
| Federal locality pay area7 | Rest of U.S. | Rest of U.S. |
Rent areas: Jackson, MS HUD Metro FMR Area and Lexington-Fayette, KY MSA. Metro areas: Jackson, MS and Lexington-Fayette, KY.
What costs more or less
| Price level (U.S. = 100) | Jackson | Lexington |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | 64.8 | 77.1 |
| Goods | 96.2 | 96.2 |
| Utilities | 78.1 | 74.6 |
| Other services | 96.1 | 96.9 |
| Overall | 89.0 | 92.9 |
Moving with the same $100,000 salary
Jackson, MS → Lexington, KY
Same pay buys less
Buying power −4.1%; rent takes 17% of take-home; state tax +$114/yr.
56 Fair offer
Lexington, KY → Jackson, MS
Same pay goes further
Buying power +4.3%; rent takes 17% of take-home; state tax −$114/yr.
82 Strong offer
On the GS pay scale?
Both metros are in the Rest of U.S. locality pay area, so GS salaries are identical. The last column shows what a transfer from Jackson, MS to Lexington, KY at the same grade and step does to real buying power.
| Grade5,2 | Jackson, MS | Lexington, KY | Real change, Jackson → Lexington |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-9 step 1 | $61,722 | $61,722 | −4.1% |
| GS-11 step 1 | $74,678 | $74,678 | −4.1% |
| GS-12 step 1 | $89,508 | $89,508 | −4.1% |
| GS-13 step 1 | $106,437 | $106,437 | −4.1% |
| GS-14 step 1 | $125,776 | $125,776 | −4.1% |
Pay for common jobs
| Median annual pay4 | Jackson, MS | Lexington, KY | Lexington pay in Jackson dollars |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $50,240 | $61,460 | $58,919 (+17.3%) |
| Software Developers | $96,990 | $123,510 | $118,403 (+22.1%) |
| Accountants and Auditors | $70,720 | $77,780 | $74,564 (+5.4%) |
| Registered Nurses | $82,630 | $79,040 | $75,772 (−8.3%) |
"Not published" means BLS doesn't release an estimate for that job in that metro.