City Comparison

Casper vs Jackson

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Casper

Wyoming
95
Below Average
$265,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$70,200
Median Income

Jackson

Mississippi
82
Very Affordable
$125,000
Median Home
$900/mo
Median Rent
$36,528
Median Income

The Verdict

15.9%

The cost gap between these cities is 15.9%, with Jackson being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Casper has equivalent purchasing power to $64,737 in Jackson.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
82
Casper
56
Jackson
Groceries
96
Casper
95
Jackson
Utilities
96
Casper
86
Jackson
Transportation
85
Casper
97
Jackson
Healthcare
103
Casper
88
Jackson

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Casper has the same purchasing power as $64,737 in Jackson.

Conversely, $75,000 in Jackson equals $86,890 in Casper.

Living in Casper vs Jackson

Housing Costs

Casper's housing index of 82 is higher Jackson's 56, translating to median home prices of $265,000 vs $125,000. The $140,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,096 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Casper compared to $900/mo in Jackson, a monthly difference of $100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Casper and 95 in Jackson. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Casper vs $451/month in Jackson. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 96 in Casper and 86 in Jackson. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Casper vs $344 in Jackson. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 103 in Casper and 88 in Jackson. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $70,200 in Casper and $36,528 in Jackson. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $73,895 and $44,546 respectively. Casper residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,638/month to housing in Casper vs $852/month in Jackson. In Casper, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Jackson, median rent of $900/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 26 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Jackson is 15.9% more affordable overall with an index of 82 vs 95.
A $75,000 salary in Casper has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $64,737 in Jackson, based on the cost of living difference.
Casper's housing index is 82 with median homes at $265,000, while Jackson's is 56 with median homes at $125,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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