Columbia MO 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)
Columbia, MO
Missouri · Population: 127,200
- Median HH Income$64,488
- Median Home Price$323,876
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+56.5%
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
Columbia
127,200
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Jackson
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Jackson
34.7
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Columbia +
Jackson
1.5%
White
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Jackson
14.5%
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Jackson
0.3%
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Columbia +
Jackson
2.2%
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Jackson
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 149,827 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 34.7 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 1.5% | Columbia + |
| White | 74.3% | 14.5% | Columbia + |
| Black | 12.1% | 81.8% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 0.3% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 2.2% | Columbia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Columbia +
Jackson
$43,238
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Columbia +
Jackson
$26,868
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Columbia +
Jackson
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Jackson
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Columbia +
Jackson
26.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Jackson
28.6%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $43,238 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $26,868 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $46,995 | Columbia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 9.4% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 26.8% | Columbia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 28.6% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Columbia +
Jackson
48.6%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $88,100 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 48.6% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 247 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1808 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Jackson
46.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Jackson
18.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Jackson
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Columbia +
Jackson
18.1%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 46.0% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 18.4% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.3% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 12.8% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 11.8% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 18.1% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Columbia +
Jackson
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Columbia +
Jackson
54.1 in
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 64.6°F | Columbia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 54.1 in | Columbia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Columbia +
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Jackson
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 10.0 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Jackson
21.9 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 21.9 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $64,488, 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 501 in Columbia. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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