Median rent is 14% lower in Jackson ($1,094/mo vs $1,268/mo). Buying is cheaper in Jacksonville, where the median home runs $191,700 versus $195,000. Households earn more in Jacksonville ($54,069 vs $51,552 a year). Overall, the two cities have a nearly identical cost of living index (98.5).
City A
Jackson, TN
City B
Jacksonville, NC
How much would you need to earn in Jacksonville, NC to maintain your standard of living from Jackson, TN?
Equivalent salary in Jacksonville, NC
$75,000
Costs are about the same in both cities.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Jackson
Tennessee
Jacksonville
North Carolina
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Jackson at $1,094/mo compared to $1,268/mo in Jacksonville (14% gap). Median home values are within 2% of each other: $195,000 in Jackson and $191,700 in Jacksonville.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Tennessee has no state income tax, while North Carolina tops out at 4.50% — giving Jackson a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 7.00% in Tennessee and 4.75% in North Carolina; Jacksonville has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Jackson
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 7.00%
Jacksonville
Income tax: 4.50%
Sales tax: 4.75%
Air quality data is not yet available for these cities.
Pick Jackson if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,094/mo median).
Pick Jackson if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Jackson cheaper than Jacksonville?
Jackson is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 98.5 versus 98.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Jackson.
How much is rent in Jackson vs Jacksonville?
Median rent is $1,094/mo in Jackson, TN and $1,268/mo in Jacksonville, NC. Jackson, TN has the lower rent by about 14%.
Which has higher salaries — Jackson or Jacksonville?
Median household income is $51,552 in Jackson, TN and $54,069 in Jacksonville, NC. Jacksonville, NC has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Jackson or Jacksonville?
Tennessee has no state income tax. North Carolina has a top rate of 4.50%.
What salary do I need in Jacksonville to match my Jackson income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Jackson, TN is equivalent to roughly $100,000 in Jacksonville, NC (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology