Arlington TX 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)
Arlington, TX
Texas · Population: 394,769
- Median HH Income$73,519
- Median Home Price$313,683
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
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
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
Jackson
149,827
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Jackson
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Arlington +
Jackson
34.7
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Arlington +
Jackson
1.5%
White
Arlington
43.2%
Arlington +
Jackson
14.5%
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Arlington +
Jackson
0.3%
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Arlington +
Jackson
2.2%
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Jackson
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 149,827 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 34.7 | Arlington + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 1.5% | Arlington + |
| White | 43.2% | 14.5% | Arlington + |
| Black | 22.4% | 81.8% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 0.3% | Arlington + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 2.2% | Arlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Arlington +
Jackson
$43,238
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Arlington +
Jackson
$26,868
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Arlington +
Jackson
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Arlington +
Jackson
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Arlington +
Jackson
26.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Arlington +
Jackson
28.6%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $43,238 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $26,868 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $46,995 | Arlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 9.4% | Arlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 26.8% | Arlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 28.6% | Arlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Arlington +
Jackson
48.6%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $88,100 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 48.6% | Arlington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 247 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1808 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
Arlington +
Jackson
46.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Arlington +
Jackson
18.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Arlington +
Jackson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Jackson
12.8%
Jackson +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Arlington +
Jackson
18.1%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 46.0% | Arlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 18.4% | Arlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 18.3% | Arlington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 12.8% | Jackson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 11.8% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 18.1% | Arlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Jackson
64.6°F
Jackson +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Arlington +
Jackson
54.1 in
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | 64.6°F | Jackson + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 54.1 in | Arlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Arlington +
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Jackson
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.0 µg/m³ | Arlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arlington
29.0 min
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 21.9 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arlington leads in median household income at $73,519, 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 442 in Arlington. Arlington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Arlington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Arlington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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