Fort Lauderdale FL 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)
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
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
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Fort Lauderdale +
Jackson
149,827
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Jackson
N/A
Median Age
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Foreign Born
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Jackson
1.5%
White
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Jackson
14.5%
Black
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Asian
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Fort Lauderdale +
Jackson
0.3%
Hispanic
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Fort Lauderdale +
Jackson
2.2%
Spanish at Home
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Jackson
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 149,827 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 34.7 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 26.7% | 1.5% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 51.3% | 14.5% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Black | 28.8% | 81.8% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 0.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Hispanic | 20.1% | 2.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Jackson
$43,238
Per Capita Income
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Jackson
$26,868
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Fort Lauderdale +
Jackson
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Jackson
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Jackson
26.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Jackson
28.6%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,935 | $43,238 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,845 | $26,868 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $46,995 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 9.4% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 26.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.8% | 28.6% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Jackson
48.6%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,297 | $88,100 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 48.6% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
324
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
Jackson
1808
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 247 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1808 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Jackson
46.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Jackson
18.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Jackson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Jackson
12.8%
Jackson +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
Jackson
18.1%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 46.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 18.4% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 12.8% | Jackson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 11.8% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 18.1% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Jackson
64.6°F
Jackson +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
Jackson
54.1 in
Jackson +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.5°F | 64.6°F | Jackson + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.5 in | 54.1 in | Jackson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
Jackson
55.0%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 10.0 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.5 min | 21.9 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, 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 324 in Fort Lauderdale. Fort Lauderdale has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Lauderdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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