Dallas TX 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)
Dallas, TX
Texas · Population: 1,299,553
- Median HH Income$67,760
- Median Home Price$311,957
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.4%
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
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Jackson
149,827
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Jackson
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Dallas +
Jackson
34.7
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Dallas +
Jackson
1.5%
White
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Jackson
14.5%
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Dallas +
Jackson
0.3%
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Jackson
2.2%
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Jackson
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 149,827 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 34.7 | Dallas + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 1.5% | Dallas + |
| White | 41.9% | 14.5% | Dallas + |
| Black | 23.7% | 81.8% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 0.3% | Dallas + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 2.2% | Dallas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Dallas +
Jackson
$43,238
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Dallas +
Jackson
$26,868
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Dallas +
Jackson
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Dallas +
Jackson
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Dallas +
Jackson
26.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Dallas +
Jackson
28.6%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $43,238 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $26,868 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $46,995 | Dallas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 9.4% | Dallas + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 26.8% | Dallas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 28.6% | Dallas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Jackson
48.6%
Jackson +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $88,100 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 48.6% | Jackson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 247 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1808 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
36.8%
Dallas +
Jackson
46.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Dallas +
Jackson
18.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Dallas +
Jackson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Jackson
12.8%
Jackson +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Dallas +
Jackson
18.1%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 46.0% | Dallas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 18.4% | Dallas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.3% | Dallas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | 12.8% | Jackson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 11.8% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 18.1% | Dallas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Jackson
64.6°F
Jackson +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Dallas +
Jackson
54.1 in
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 64.6°F | Jackson + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | 54.1 in | Dallas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Dallas +
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Jackson
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.0 µg/m³ | Dallas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dallas
28.3 min
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 21.9 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dallas leads in median household income at $67,760, 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 442 in Dallas. Dallas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Dallas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Dallas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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