Houston 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Jackson
149,827
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Jackson
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Jackson
34.7
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Jackson
1.5%
White
Houston
35.5%
Houston +
Jackson
14.5%
Black
Houston
22.9%
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Jackson
0.3%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Jackson
2.2%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Jackson
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 149,827 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 34.7 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 1.5% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 14.5% | Houston + |
| Black | 22.9% | 81.8% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 0.3% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 2.2% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
Jackson
$43,238
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Jackson
$26,868
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Jackson
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Houston +
Jackson
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Houston +
Jackson
26.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Jackson
28.6%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $43,238 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $26,868 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $46,995 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 9.4% | Houston + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 26.8% | Houston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 28.6% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Jackson
48.6%
Jackson +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $88,100 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 48.6% | Jackson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
| Metric | Houston, 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
Houston
38.0%
Houston +
Jackson
46.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Houston +
Jackson
18.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Jackson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Jackson
12.8%
Jackson +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
Jackson
18.1%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 46.0% | Houston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 18.4% | Houston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 18.3% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 12.8% | Jackson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 11.8% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 18.1% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Jackson
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Houston +
Jackson
54.1 in
| Metric | Houston, TX | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 64.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 54.1 in | Houston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Houston +
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Jackson
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Houston, TX | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.0 µg/m³ | Houston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 21.9 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, 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 Houston. Houston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Houston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Houston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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