Columbus 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)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Jackson
149,827
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Jackson
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Jackson
34.7
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
Jackson
1.5%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Columbus +
Jackson
14.5%
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Jackson
0.3%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Columbus +
Jackson
2.2%
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Jackson
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 149,827 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 34.7 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 1.5% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 14.5% | Columbus + |
| Black | 29.0% | 81.8% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 0.3% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 2.2% | Columbus + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Columbus +
Jackson
$43,238
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Columbus +
Jackson
$26,868
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Columbus +
Jackson
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Jackson
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Columbus +
Jackson
26.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
Jackson
28.6%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $43,238 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $26,868 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $46,995 | Columbus + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 9.4% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 26.8% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 28.6% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Jackson
48.6%
Jackson +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $88,100 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 48.6% | Jackson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
Jackson
46.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Columbus +
Jackson
18.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Jackson
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Columbus +
Jackson
18.1%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 46.0% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 18.4% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 18.3% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 12.8% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 11.8% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 18.1% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Jackson
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Columbus +
Jackson
54.1 in
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 64.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 54.1 in | Columbus + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Jackson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Jackson
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
23.4 min
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 21.9 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $65,327, 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 Columbus. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Jackson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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