Cleveland 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)
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Jackson
149,827
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Jackson
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Cleveland +
Jackson
1.5%
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Cleveland +
Jackson
14.5%
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Cleveland +
Jackson
0.3%
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Cleveland +
Jackson
2.2%
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Jackson
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 149,827 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 34.7 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 1.5% | Cleveland + |
| White | 36.7% | 14.5% | Cleveland + |
| Black | 46.8% | 81.8% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 0.3% | Cleveland + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 2.2% | Cleveland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Jackson
$43,238
Jackson +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Cleveland +
Jackson
$26,868
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Cleveland +
Jackson
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Jackson
9.4%
Jackson +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Jackson
26.8%
Jackson +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Jackson
28.6%
Jackson +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $43,238 | Jackson + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $26,868 | Cleveland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $46,995 | Cleveland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 9.4% | Jackson + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 26.8% | Jackson + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 28.6% | Jackson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Jackson
48.6%
Jackson +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $88,100 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 48.6% | Jackson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
| Metric | Cleveland, 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
Cleveland
42.2%
Cleveland +
Jackson
46.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Cleveland +
Jackson
18.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Jackson
12.8%
Jackson +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Jackson
18.1%
Jackson +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 46.0% | Cleveland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 18.4% | Cleveland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.3% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.8% | Jackson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 11.8% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 18.1% | Jackson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Cleveland +
Jackson
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
Jackson
54.1 in
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 64.6°F | Cleveland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 54.1 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Jackson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Jackson
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cleveland, 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
Cleveland
24.3 min
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 21.9 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jackson leads in median household income at $43,238, 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 Cleveland. Jackson has a lower unemployment rate at 9.4%, and Jackson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cleveland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.2%.
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