Gainesville 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Jackson
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Jackson
34.7
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Gainesville +
Jackson
1.5%
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Jackson
14.5%
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Jackson
0.3%
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Gainesville +
Jackson
2.2%
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Jackson
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 149,827 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 34.7 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 1.5% | Gainesville + |
| White | 59.2% | 14.5% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 21.6% | 81.8% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 0.3% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 2.2% | Gainesville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Gainesville +
Jackson
$43,238
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Gainesville +
Jackson
$26,868
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Jackson
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Jackson
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Jackson
26.8%
Jackson +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
Jackson
28.6%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $43,238 | Gainesville + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $26,868 | Gainesville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $46,995 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 9.4% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 26.8% | Jackson + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 28.6% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Jackson
48.6%
Jackson +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $88,100 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 48.6% | Jackson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
Jackson
1808
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 247 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1808 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Jackson
46.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Jackson
18.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Jackson
12.8%
Jackson +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
Jackson
18.1%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 46.0% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 18.4% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 18.3% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.8% | Jackson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 11.8% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 18.1% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Jackson
64.6°F
Jackson +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Gainesville +
Jackson
54.1 in
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 64.6°F | Jackson + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 54.1 in | Gainesville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Gainesville +
Jackson
55.0%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 10.0 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Gainesville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
Jackson
21.9 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 21.9 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gainesville leads in median household income at $45,611, 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 Gainesville. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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