Cincinnati 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)
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
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
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Jackson
149,827
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Jackson
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Jackson
34.7
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Cincinnati +
Jackson
1.5%
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Cincinnati +
Jackson
14.5%
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Cincinnati +
Jackson
0.3%
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Cincinnati +
Jackson
2.2%
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Jackson
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 149,827 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 34.7 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 1.5% | Cincinnati + |
| White | 49.4% | 14.5% | Cincinnati + |
| Black | 38.7% | 81.8% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 0.3% | Cincinnati + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 2.2% | Cincinnati + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Cincinnati +
Jackson
$43,238
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Jackson
$26,868
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Cincinnati +
Jackson
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Cincinnati +
Jackson
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Cincinnati +
Jackson
26.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Jackson
28.6%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $43,238 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $26,868 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $46,995 | Cincinnati + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 9.4% | Cincinnati + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 26.8% | Cincinnati + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 28.6% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Jackson
48.6%
Jackson +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $88,100 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 48.6% | Jackson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
| Metric | Cincinnati, 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
Cincinnati
38.3%
Cincinnati +
Jackson
46.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Cincinnati +
Jackson
18.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Jackson
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Cincinnati +
Jackson
18.1%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 46.0% | Cincinnati + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 18.4% | Cincinnati + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 18.3% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.8% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 11.8% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 18.1% | Cincinnati + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Cincinnati +
Jackson
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Cincinnati +
Jackson
54.1 in
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 64.6°F | Cincinnati + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 54.1 in | Cincinnati + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Jackson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Jackson
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cincinnati, 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
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 21.9 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cincinnati leads in median household income at $51,707, 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 Cincinnati. Cincinnati has a lower unemployment rate at 6.8%, and Jackson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cincinnati scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.3%.
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