Durham NC 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)
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
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
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Jackson
149,827
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Jackson
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
Jackson
1.5%
White
Durham
44.0%
Durham +
Jackson
14.5%
Black
Durham
34.4%
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Jackson
0.3%
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Durham +
Jackson
2.2%
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Jackson
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 149,827 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 34.7 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 1.5% | Durham + |
| White | 44.0% | 14.5% | Durham + |
| Black | 34.4% | 81.8% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 0.3% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 2.2% | Durham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Jackson
$43,238
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Jackson
$26,868
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Durham +
Jackson
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Jackson
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Jackson
26.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Jackson
28.6%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $43,238 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $26,868 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $46,995 | Durham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 9.4% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 26.8% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 28.6% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Durham +
Jackson
48.6%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $88,100 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 48.6% | Durham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 247 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1808 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Durham +
Jackson
46.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Jackson
18.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
Jackson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Durham +
Jackson
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
Jackson
18.1%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 46.0% | Durham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 18.4% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.3% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 12.8% | Durham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 11.8% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 18.1% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Durham +
Jackson
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Durham +
Jackson
54.1 in
| Metric | Durham, NC | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | 64.6°F | Durham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | 54.1 in | Durham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Durham +
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Durham +
Jackson
55.0%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 10.0 µg/m³ | Durham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Durham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 21.9 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, 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 398 in Durham. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Durham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Durham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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