Cary NC 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)
Cary, NC
North Carolina · Population: 176,686
- Median HH Income$129,399
- Median Home Price$629,864
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+70.2%
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
Cary
176,686
Cary +
Jackson
149,827
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cary
N/A
Jackson
N/A
Median Age
Cary
39.8
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Foreign Born
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
Jackson
1.5%
White
Cary
60.1%
Cary +
Jackson
14.5%
Black
Cary
7.6%
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Asian
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Jackson
0.3%
Hispanic
Cary
9.3%
Cary +
Jackson
2.2%
Spanish at Home
Cary
N/A
Jackson
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 149,827 | Cary + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 34.7 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 1.5% | Cary + |
| White | 60.1% | 14.5% | Cary + |
| Black | 7.6% | 81.8% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 20.4% | 0.3% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 2.2% | Cary + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Jackson
$43,238
Per Capita Income
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Jackson
$26,868
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cary
$59,120
Cary +
Jackson
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Jackson
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Jackson
26.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
Jackson
28.6%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,399 | $43,238 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,590 | $26,868 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $46,995 | Cary + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 9.4% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.3% | 26.8% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.2% | 28.6% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cary
$629,864
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Homeownership Rate
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
Jackson
48.6%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $629,864 | $88,100 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.3% | 48.6% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
398
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
1999
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 247 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1808 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
25.3%
Cary +
Jackson
46.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
8.6%
Cary +
Jackson
18.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
Jackson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Jackson
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cary
14.3%
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
Jackson
18.1%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 46.0% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 18.4% | Cary + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | 18.3% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 12.8% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 11.8% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 18.1% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
59.4°F
Cary +
Jackson
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
46.3 in
Cary +
Jackson
54.1 in
| Metric | Cary, NC | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.4°F | 64.6°F | Cary + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 54.1 in | Cary + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Cary +
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cary
75.0%
Cary +
Jackson
55.0%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 10.0 µg/m³ | Cary + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Cary + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cary
24.3 min
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 21.9 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, 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 398 in Cary. Cary has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Cary has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cary scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.3%.
Compare More Cities
Cary, NC vs New York, NYCary, NC vs Los Angeles, CACary, NC vs Chicago, ILCary, NC vs Houston, TXCary, NC vs Phoenix, AZCary, NC vs Philadelphia, PA