Michigan · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Jackson County, MI

Prices around Jackson County, MI run 8.2% below the U.S. average (BEA, the metro area). The typical household there earns $66,073 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $1,165 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $46,600 a year.

Jackson County, MI at a glance

Median household income

$66,073$5,506 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$1,165HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)91.8-8.2% · BEA, the metro area
Electricity23¢per kWh · EIA Residential MI
Population160,060Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Jackson County, MI?

HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,165Monthly market rent
Share of gross income21.2%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$46,600To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,652At 30% of $66,073
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

How much is rent in Jackson County, MI? By bedroom, 2026

HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Jackson, MI MSA, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.

HUD Fair Market Rent in Jackson County, MI, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$838$10,056$33,52015.2%
1-Bedroom Apartment$946$11,352$37,84017.2%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,165$13,980$46,60021.2%
3-Bedroom Home$1,534$18,408$61,36027.9%
4-Bedroom Home$1,626$19,512$65,04029.5%

Rent in Jackson County, MI, with the wage each unit needs →

What a typical income covers in Jackson County, MI

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $66,073 a year ($5,506 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$2,753/moRent ($1,165 2-BR), utilities (~$207/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,652/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$1,101/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $66,073 leaves after Michigan taxes

Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Michigan tax on the local median income. Change the salary to see yours.

$66,073
$25,000$135,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$66,073
Net 80%
Fed 9%
MI 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$52,712After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,393Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,027Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate20.2%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$5,749 / yr
Michigan state income tax$2,557 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,055 / yr

Living in Jackson County, MI: common questions

What is the median household income in Jackson County, MI?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Jackson County, MI is $66,073 per year (approximately $5,506 per month).

What is the average rent in Jackson County, MI?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $838 for a studio, $946 for one bedroom, $1,165 for two, $1,534 for three and $1,626 for four, utilities included.

It is not an average of listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so a new lease on a nicer place will usually cost more.

Is Jackson County, MI expensive to live in?

Prices there run 8.2% below the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 91.8, where the U.S. is 100. Rent moves the number most: housing is where places differ, while goods cost about the same everywhere.

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Jackson County, MI?

To keep a $1,165 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $46,600 a year, or $3,883 a month. That is 71% of what the typical household in Jackson County, MI earns.

How much do you need to live comfortably in Jackson County, MI?

On the local median income of $66,073 ($5,506 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $2,753 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $1,652 for everything else and $1,101 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $1,165 takes 42% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Jackson County, MI?

Homes in Michigan paid 23¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $207. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.