City comparison
Des Moines, IA vs Jackson, MS
What a paycheck is really worth in each city: prices, rent and state taxes.
Key findings
- Prices in Des Moines, IA are 3.0% higher than in Jackson, MS. Someone earning $100,000 in Jackson, MS would need about $103,000 in Des Moines, IA to live the same way.
- Typical 1-bedroom rents are close: $1,109 a month in Des Moines, IA and $1,097 in Jackson, MS.
- Estimated state income tax on $100,000 is close: $3,148 a year in IA and $3,268 in MS.
- For federal employees, locality pay changes a GS-13 step 1 salary by −0.8% moving from Des Moines, IA to Jackson, MS ($107,301 → $106,437), while prices change by −2.9%. Net effect of the transfer: +2.2% in real buying power.
- Des Moines, IA: price level 91.7 (much cheaper)
- Jackson, MS: price level 89.0 (much cheaper)
Map drawn from Census Bureau state boundaries and metro locations9,10; dot colours show BEA price levels2.
Side by side
| Des Moines, IA | Jackson, MS | |
|---|---|---|
| Price level (U.S. = 100)2 | 91.7 | 89.0 |
| $100,000 is worth, in the other city2 | $97,107 in Jackson | $102,979 in Des Moines |
| Typical 1-bedroom rent3 | $1,109/mo | $1,097/mo |
| Take-home on $100,00014,15,8 | $76,032 | $75,912 |
| State income tax on $100,000 (estimate)8 | $3,148 (IA) | $3,268 (MS) |
| Rent burden on $100,000 | 18% | 17% |
| Median pay, all jobs4 | $51,820 | $42,850 |
| Federal locality pay area7 | Des Moines-Ames-West Des Moines, IA | Rest of U.S. |
Rent areas: Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA HUD Metro FMR Area and Jackson, MS HUD Metro FMR Area. Metro areas: Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA and Jackson, MS.
What costs more or less
| Price level (U.S. = 100) | Des Moines | Jackson |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | 84.7 | 64.8 |
| Goods | 93.7 | 96.2 |
| Utilities | 84.6 | 78.1 |
| Other services | 92.9 | 96.1 |
| Overall | 91.7 | 89.0 |
Moving with the same $100,000 salary
Des Moines, IA → Jackson, MS
Same pay goes further
Buying power +3.0%; rent takes 17% of take-home; state tax +$120/yr.
78 Strong offer
Jackson, MS → Des Moines, IA
Same pay buys less
Buying power −2.9%; rent takes 18% of take-home; state tax −$120/yr.
60 Fair offer
On the GS pay scale?
Des Moines, IA is in the Des Moines-Ames-West Des Moines, IA pay area; Jackson, MS is in Rest of U.S.. The last column shows what a transfer from Des Moines, IA to Jackson, MS at the same grade and step does to real buying power.
| Grade5,2 | Des Moines, IA | Jackson, MS | Real change, Des Moines → Jackson |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-9 step 1 | $62,223 | $61,722 | +2.2% |
| GS-11 step 1 | $75,284 | $74,678 | +2.2% |
| GS-12 step 1 | $90,234 | $89,508 | +2.2% |
| GS-13 step 1 | $107,301 | $106,437 | +2.2% |
| GS-14 step 1 | $126,797 | $125,776 | +2.2% |
Pay for common jobs
| Median annual pay4 | Des Moines, IA | Jackson, MS | Jackson pay in Des Moines dollars |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $61,650 | $50,240 | $51,737 (−16.1%) |
| Software Developers | $126,460 | $96,990 | $99,880 (−21.0%) |
| Accountants and Auditors | $79,290 | $70,720 | $72,827 (−8.2%) |
| Registered Nurses | $78,630 | $82,630 | $85,092 (+8.2%) |
"Not published" means BLS doesn't release an estimate for that job in that metro.