Rents are 3% above what Jackson's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,228 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
March. Asking rents in Jackson usually run 0.4% below trend in March and 0.7% above it in July, about $14 a month apart at today's median. Based on 10 years of data.
Rent in Jackson is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in May 2016.
Rent in Jackson changed +3.5% over the year to September 2026. Across the 23 Mississippi cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.8%.
From 2019 to 2024, rent in Jackson rose 31.7% while median household income rose 8.2% ($38,888 to $42,071). Rent outpaced income.
Rent in Jackson is 42.5% higher than in March 2020. Across the US, rent is up 37.3% over the same stretch.
Rent has risen 2 months in a row, and rose in 8 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($42,071) is $1,052 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 1-bedroom ($991); a 2-bedroom is $1,163.
The priciest of 8 ZIP codes in Jackson, 39211 ($1,430/mo), costs 32% more than the cheapest, 39213 ($1,080/mo).
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Jackson. The seasonal pattern compares Zillow’s seasonally adjusted and unadjusted series. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
Is your rent fair?
Compare your rent to the local median.
Who lives here
Jackson, MS is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income below the national average, 28.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Jackson, MS has changed in 5 years
The median rent in Jackson, MS stood at $908 in 2021 and currently runs about $1,228, reflecting a 35.2% increase over the period. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $39,969 in 2021 to $42,071 more recently. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has contracted by 6.5% since 2021, moving from about 156,803 residents to roughly 146,631. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Jackson, MS market of 2021.
Discussions about Jackson
No discussions yet. Start the conversation.
Can you afford rent in Jackson on your salary?
At $1,228/mo, how Jackson rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Jackson rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Jackson. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Jackson
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Jackson is $1,228/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $984/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,163/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $991/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,401/mo.
At 35% of local median household income ($42,071/yr), Jackson ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.5% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Jackson?
Is rent going up or down in Jackson?
When is the cheapest time to rent in Jackson?
Has rent outpaced income in Jackson?
Which Jackson neighborhoods have the lowest rent?
How does Jackson rent compare to other cities in Mississippi?
At $1,228/mo, rent takes ~35% of Jackson's median household income ($42,071/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
Pick another city or ZIP to compare.
Estimated from ZIP-level data
Be the first to submit your rent for Jackson.
No discussions yet.