Akron OH vs Jackson MS — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Akron, OH
Ohio · Population: 189,526
- Median HH Income$48,544
- Median Home Price$140,512
- Unemployment8.0%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
Jackson, MS
Mississippi · Population: 149,827
- Median HH Income$43,238
- Median Home Price$88,100
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Akron +
Jackson
149,827
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Jackson
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Akron +
Jackson
1.5%
White
Akron
56.1%
Akron +
Jackson
14.5%
Black
Akron
29.4%
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Jackson
0.3%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Akron +
Jackson
2.2%
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Jackson
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 149,827 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 34.7 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 1.5% | Akron + |
| White | 56.1% | 14.5% | Akron + |
| Black | 29.4% | 81.8% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 0.3% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 2.2% | Akron + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Akron +
Jackson
$43,238
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Akron +
Jackson
$26,868
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Akron +
Jackson
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Akron +
Jackson
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Akron +
Jackson
26.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Jackson
28.6%
Jackson +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $43,238 | Akron + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $26,868 | Akron + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $46,995 | Akron + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 9.4% | Akron + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 26.8% | Akron + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 28.6% | Jackson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Akron +
Jackson
48.6%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $88,100 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 48.6% | Akron + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 247 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1808 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Akron +
Jackson
46.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Akron +
Jackson
18.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
Jackson
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Jackson
18.1%
Jackson +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 46.0% | Akron + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 18.4% | Akron + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 18.3% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 12.8% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.8% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 18.1% | Jackson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
Jackson
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Akron +
Jackson
54.1 in
| Metric | Akron, OH | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 64.6°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 54.1 in | Akron + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Jackson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Jackson
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Akron, OH | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 10.0 µg/m³ | Jackson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 21.9 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Akron leads in median household income at $48,544, while jackson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $88,100. On public safety, Jackson is safer with a violent crime rate of 247 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Akron. Akron has a lower unemployment rate at 8.0%, and Jackson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Akron scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.7%.
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