Jackson MS Homes for Rent under $900

Jackson is the capital of Mississippi and the state’s largest city. It is a busy place where state governing happens and large companies like AT&T have corporate offices. But it’s also a distinctly Southern place, defined by old homes, ancient oak trees and an unpretentious lifestyle. It’s a place where some folks still sit outside on a spring evening to smell the magnolia blossoms and passing neighbors call out greetings to each other. With a population of 150,000 it may be classified as a midsize city, but it has a small-town feel about it.

Jackson was established in 1821 as the seat of Mississippi’s state government due to its ideal location near the Natchez Trace and Pearl River, major transportation routes used by Native Americans, settlers and traders. Following Mississippi’s secession at the onset of the Civil War, Jackson quickly became a hub for the war industry. By the spring of 1863, occupying Union troops had damaged much of the city’s infrastructure. Jackson’s economic recovery from the war was slow. And despite the abolishment of slavery, Black residents continued to be treated unjustly for decades because of discriminatory practices. During the 1960s, the city played an essential role in the Civil Rights movement as students and activists organized large-scale demonstrations, sit-ins and protest marches.

Jackson has seen its share of troubles. One of the latest issues has been the city’s water supply. For decades, Jackson dealt with a deteriorating water system, chronically low pressure and discolored tap water. In November 2022, the federal government assumed control of the water utility. While work remains, Jackson’s water system has been stabilized, and residents now see clear drinking water.

Jackson’s winters are mild, and the spring and fall are warm. Summers, however, tend to be very hot and very humid. Temperatures in July and August often reach 90 degrees, accompanied by 95% humidity. Jackson sits in the middle of Dixie Alley, an area of the southern US with a high frequency of tornadoes. The twisters usually form in early spring and late autumn and tend to be stronger than the tornadoes experienced elsewhere. While tornadoes can’t be prevented, the National Weather Service and the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency sponsor Spring Severe Weather Awareness Week each February to keep the public aware of safety planning and precautions during dangerous weather conditions.

Homes in Jackson reflect a wide range of architectural styles and the city’s levels of prosperity over the years. Early 19th-century homes built during the pre-Civil War years when wealthy cotton farms dotted the land include Colonial and Greek Revival homes. As the local economy struggled in the war’s aftermath and throughout the first part of the 20th-century, modest bungalows with low-pitched roofs and wide front porches became popular. During the post-WWII housing boom, ranch-style homes were built throughout the city. Today, the median home price in Jackson is about $107,000 but prices vary greatly. A 3-bedroom cottage in South Jackson may cost $72,000 while a similar 3-bedroom home in Belhaven runs about $300,000.

The city is made up of nine distinct neighborhoods, each with its own vibe and personality and all of which contribute to the vitality and soul of the community. The downtown area is filled with ornate government buildings such as the State Capitol, an impressive example of Beaux Arts architecture. The district is also home to six museums, all within a few blocks of each other. From the beautiful paintings and exhibits in the Museum of Art to the sometimes disturbing but rich history of the state, the Museum of Mississippi History provides visitors with gripping exhibits and critical lessons from the past. The Fondren district has been a cultural center for nearly 100 years. It’s a diverse, creative and buzzing neighborhood, home to art stores, bookshops and festivals. One finds various eclectic architectural styles in Fondren, from funky Mid-Century Modern homes to stately brick Georgians. The Belhaven neighborhood, found north of downtown, is considered Jackson’s first suburb and is known for its gracious homes, varied architecture and sloped lawns. The Belhaven neighborhood is considered a Historic District and has includes a wide assortment of home styles, including Craftsman, Tudor Revival, Queen Anne and Italianate. The Belhaven Town Center is a mixed-use development in the community that is home to restaurants and office space. The Lefleur East neighborhood offers some of Jackson’s best shopping and dining sites. Canton Mart Square is a family owned and operated shopping center in the district within walking distance of more than 25 businesses.

Overall, Jackson Public School District gets a C-minus rating from Niche, although individual school rankings vary from B to D-plus. Like all of Mississippi’s public schools, Jackson’s schools have faced declining enrollment in the past 20 years due primarily to declining birth rates in the state. The city’s schools suffer from a lack of adequate funding and chronic teacher shortages. Most students in Jackson attend public school, while an additional 18% from kindergarten through grade 12 attend the city’s 26 private schools.

Jackson is home to 6 colleges and universities including Jackson State University, a 4-year school that offers graduate and postgraduate programs. Its most popular bachelor’s degrees are awarded in general biology, social work and multidisciplinary studies. Millsaps College offers undergraduate programs in social science, the humanities and science. There are two theological colleges in the city as well.

LeFleur’s Bluff Playground is a 305-acre park in Jackson that is sectioned into play structures for babies and toddlers and for children between 5 and 12. The playgrounds are all under shade structures that keep the facilities as much as 30 degrees cooler in the hottest summer months.

The Winner’s Circle Park in the Flowood neighborhood also features a series of age-appropriate, shaded play areas. It has 5 tennis courts, a walking trail, amphitheater and open-air pavilions. The park’s beautiful and well-lit landscaping makes it a place for locals to picnic and pass the time.

When summer temps heat up, Jackson residents can flock to the Ross Barnett Reservoir. The 33,000-acre body of water, nearly the size of Washington, D.C., serves as the area’s primary source of drinking water. It is home to three different parks that offer open spaces, tennis courts, playgrounds and pavilions. Golfers will want to hit the links at Live Oaks Golf Club. This 18-hole, semi-private club sits on 130 acres of rolling hills and winding streams. The vast canopies of the 200-year-old live oaks trees throughout the course provide welcome shade to duffers on hot summer days. Access to the club’s swimming pool makes it easy to cool off afterwards.

Jackson is home to small, local shops and high-end fashion stores. Step through the famous pink doors at Treehouse Boutiques, situated in the trendy Fondren district, and be greeted by a collection of stylish women’s clothing, shoes and accessories. The city is also home to most of the large department stores and chains including Home Depot and Walmart. Grocery shoppers will delight in the variety of supermarkets, including Aldi’s, Piggly-Wiggly, Fresh Market and Kroger.

When it comes to dining, Jackson residents know good food. Saltines is a contemporary oyster bar specializing in Southern cuisine and fresh seafood. Sit a spell and enjoy a low country boil with shrimp and andouille sausage while sipping on a signature rum drink. When it comes to true Jackson cooking, Bully’s Soul Food is worth the visit. The deceptively small restaurant, a James Beard award recipient, tempts its guests with dishes such as catfish, smothered turkey necks and fried green tomatoes.

Mississippi has long been associated with the earliest days of blues music and Jackson’s residents enjoy those bluesy tunes. Hal and Mal’s is a restaurant and music venue downtown where locals go for fun, food and live music. In June, Cathead Jam features two days of musical performances from headliners and up-and-coming acts. The event, held at the Cathead Distillery, found in downtown Jackson, and plenty of libations and nonalcoholic drinks. Also in June, Old Trace Park, on the banks of Ross Barnett Reservoir, hosts the Pepsi Pops Concert with the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra. This annual welcome-to-summer event held on the banks of the reservoir features an evening of movie themes, pop music and show tunes performed by the Orchestra. During the Mississippi Book Festival, the streets between the state Capitol and the nearby Galloway Church transform into a marketplace filled with authors, book lovers, live music and food trucks. The Mississippi State Fair is held every October in downtown Jackson. The fairgrounds cover over 100 acres, and the 11-day extravaganza celebrates Mississippi’s performers, musicians, farmers and 4-H members with family-friendly entertainment, concerts, livestock exhibits, a midway and a tri-state rodeo.

Every 4 years, the USA International Ballet Competition holds its two-week contest in Jackson. The event gives young dancers a chance to compete against others and test their skills and talents

Jackson is at the crossroads of Interstates 20 and 55. The major thoroughfares running through and around the city make commuting and travel easy. Jackson-Evers Airport is 12 miles from the city. Amtrak offers service from downtown to destinations throughout the country. The city bus service, JTRAN, provides transit service throughout the city Monday through Saturday. No bus service is available on Sundays and most holidays. This is a car dependent city.