Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Jackson
149,827
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Jackson
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Jackson
1.5%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Chicago +
Jackson
14.5%
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Jackson
0.3%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Jackson
2.2%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Jackson
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 149,827 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 34.7 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 1.5% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 14.5% | Chicago + |
| Black | 28.4% | 81.8% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 0.3% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 2.2% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Jackson
$43,238
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Jackson
$26,868
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Jackson
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Chicago +
Jackson
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Chicago +
Jackson
26.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Jackson
28.6%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $43,238 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $26,868 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $46,995 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 9.4% | Chicago + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 26.8% | Chicago + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 28.6% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Jackson
48.6%
Jackson +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $88,100 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 48.6% | Jackson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 247 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1808 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Jackson
46.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Jackson
18.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Jackson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Jackson
12.8%
Jackson +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Jackson
18.1%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 46.0% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 18.4% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.3% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.8% | Jackson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 11.8% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 18.1% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Jackson
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
Jackson
54.1 in
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 64.6°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 54.1 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Chicago +
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Jackson
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 10.0 µg/m³ | Chicago + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 21.9 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, 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 344 in Chicago. Chicago has a lower unemployment rate at 7.9%, and Chicago has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
Compare More Cities
Chicago, IL vs New York, NYChicago, IL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Houston, TXChicago, IL vs Phoenix, AZChicago, IL vs Philadelphia, PAChicago, IL vs San Antonio, TX