Indianapolis IN 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)
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
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
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Jackson
149,827
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Jackson
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Jackson
34.7
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Indianapolis +
Jackson
1.5%
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Jackson
14.5%
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Jackson
0.3%
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Indianapolis +
Jackson
2.2%
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Jackson
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 149,827 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 34.7 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 1.5% | Indianapolis + |
| White | 53.6% | 14.5% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 28.1% | 81.8% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 0.3% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 2.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Indianapolis +
Jackson
$43,238
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
Jackson
$26,868
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Indianapolis +
Jackson
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Jackson
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Jackson
26.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
Jackson
28.6%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $43,238 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $26,868 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $46,995 | Indianapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 9.4% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 26.8% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 28.6% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
Jackson
48.6%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $88,100 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 48.6% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
Jackson
1808
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 247 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1808 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Jackson
46.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Jackson
18.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Jackson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Jackson
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Jackson
11.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Jackson
18.1%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 46.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.8% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Jackson
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Indianapolis +
Jackson
54.1 in
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 64.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | 54.1 in | Indianapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Jackson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Jackson
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 10.0 µg/m³ | Jackson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 21.9 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Indianapolis leads in median household income at $62,995, 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 370 in Indianapolis. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Jackson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.0 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Indianapolis, IN vs New York, NYIndianapolis, IN vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Indianapolis, INHouston, TX vs Indianapolis, INIndianapolis, IN vs Phoenix, AZIndianapolis, IN vs Philadelphia, PA