Jackson, MS Homes For Rent

Homes for Rent in Jackson, MS: What You Need to Know

Jackson, the capital of Mississippi, is home to 160,628 people. It’s the inspiration for the hit song “Jackson” by country legends Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash.

A Rich Local History

The area located along the Pearl River was originally called LeFleur’s Bluff because it was the site of French trader Louis LeFleur’s trading post. In 1821, Mississippi chose it as the seat of the state government, and renamed it Jackson in honor of Andrew Jackson, a hero of the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812. Jackson later became a U.S. president. During the Civil War, the city was an important Confederate manufacturing and railroad center, hence in May 1863, Gen. Ulysses S. Grant launched the Vicksburg Campaign in Jackson. 

In March 1961, at the height of the civil rights movement, a civil disobedience incident put Jackson in the spotlight. Nine Tougaloo College students (later known as “Tougaloo Nine”) staged a sit-in at the public library, which was exclusively for whites. They were arrested by the police. 

Things to Do in Jackson

Jackson is an important part of the Mississippi Freedom Trail, which commemorates landmarks in the civil rights movement. The Jackson stop of the trail includes historic markers at the Mississippi State Capitol and Tougaloo College. The Mississippi Civil Rights Museum has exhibits and films about the political struggles of African Americans. The Mississippi Blues Trail, which celebrates key sites related to the development of the blues, attracts music fans from all over the world. In Jackson, the trail takes visitors to historic markers for Malaco Records and Ace Records.

The Cost of Living in Jackson

If you’re looking for an affordable small city, Jackson should be at the top of your list. Its cost of living rate and housing costs are 2.8% and 13.2% lower than the national average, respectively. However, Jackson’s food cost is 14.7% higher than the national average. The median gross rent in the city is $824. Mississippi’s progressive income tax rate ranges from 0% for the lowest earners to 5% for top earners.

Know Your Neighborhoods

Residents of Jackson proper rave about the city’s central location, affordability, and the new museums and cultural venues. Half of the city’s residents are renters. If you want suburban bliss, Flowood and Pearl are close by. They have topnotch schools and a significant number of renters. Brandon is also within commuting distance to Jackson, and it offers a lot of outdoor recreation.

Shopping in Town

Retail therapy is at its best in Jackson where small shops thrive alongside national retailers. Canton Mart Square, a locally owned shopping center, boasts of dozens of specialty stores. You’ll enjoy not only shopping but also music and visual arts at Fondren District, Jackson’s art hub. It has more than two dozen boutiques, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and bakeries.