Albany GA 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)
Albany, GA
Georgia · Population: 67,939
- Median HH Income$45,201
- Median Home Price$131,279
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
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
Albany
67,939
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Jackson
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Albany +
Jackson
1.5%
White
Albany
18.9%
Albany +
Jackson
14.5%
Black
Albany
76.3%
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Albany +
Jackson
0.3%
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Albany +
Jackson
2.2%
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Jackson
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 149,827 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.7 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 1.5% | Albany + |
| White | 18.9% | 14.5% | Albany + |
| Black | 76.3% | 81.8% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 0.3% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 2.2% | Albany + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Albany +
Jackson
$43,238
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Jackson
$26,868
Jackson +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Albany +
Jackson
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Jackson
9.4%
Jackson +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Jackson
26.8%
Jackson +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Jackson
28.6%
Jackson +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $43,238 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $26,868 | Jackson + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $46,995 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 9.4% | Jackson + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 26.8% | Jackson + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 28.6% | Jackson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Jackson
48.6%
Jackson +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $88,100 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 48.6% | Jackson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Albany +
Jackson
1808
| Metric | Albany, GA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 247 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1808 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Albany +
Jackson
46.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Jackson
18.4%
Jackson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Jackson
12.8%
Jackson +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Jackson
11.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Jackson
18.1%
Jackson +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 46.0% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 18.4% | Jackson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 18.3% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 12.8% | Jackson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 11.8% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 18.1% | Jackson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Jackson
64.6°F
Jackson +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Albany +
Jackson
54.1 in
| Metric | Albany, GA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | 64.6°F | Jackson + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 54.1 in | Albany + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Albany +
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Jackson
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, GA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.0 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 21.9 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Albany leads in median household income at $45,201, 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 392 in Albany. Jackson has a lower unemployment rate at 9.4%, and Albany has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albany scores better with a lower obesity rate of 43.0%.
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