Irvine CA 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)
Irvine, CA
California · Population: 308,160
- Median HH Income$129,647
- Median Home Price$1,566,872
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+70.6%
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
Irvine
308,160
Irvine +
Jackson
149,827
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Irvine
N/A
Jackson
N/A
Median Age
Irvine
33.9
Irvine +
Jackson
34.7
Foreign Born
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
Jackson
1.5%
White
Irvine
38.7%
Irvine +
Jackson
14.5%
Black
Irvine
2.0%
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Asian
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Jackson
0.3%
Hispanic
Irvine
11.3%
Irvine +
Jackson
2.2%
Spanish at Home
Irvine
N/A
Jackson
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 308,160 | 149,827 | Irvine + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 34.7 | Irvine + |
| Foreign Born | 39.3% | 1.5% | Irvine + |
| White | 38.7% | 14.5% | Irvine + |
| Black | 2.0% | 81.8% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 44.1% | 0.3% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 2.2% | Irvine + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Jackson
$43,238
Per Capita Income
Irvine
$62,149
Irvine +
Jackson
$26,868
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Irvine
$77,230
Irvine +
Jackson
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Irvine
5.5%
Irvine +
Jackson
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Irvine
11.7%
Irvine +
Jackson
26.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
Jackson
28.6%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,647 | $43,238 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,149 | $26,868 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $46,995 | Irvine + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 9.4% | Irvine + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 26.8% | Irvine + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.6% | 28.6% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Irvine
$1,566,872
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Homeownership Rate
Irvine
43.8%
Jackson
48.6%
Jackson +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,566,872 | $88,100 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.8% | 48.6% | Jackson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
503
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
2388
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 247 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1808 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Jackson
46.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
8.3%
Irvine +
Jackson
18.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Irvine
15.4%
Irvine +
Jackson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Jackson
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Irvine
15.2%
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
Jackson
18.1%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 46.0% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 18.4% | Irvine + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 18.3% | Irvine + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.0% | 12.8% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 11.8% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 18.1% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
65.3°F
Jackson
64.6°F
Jackson +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
14.3 in
Irvine +
Jackson
54.1 in
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3°F | 64.6°F | Jackson + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 54.1 in | Irvine + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Irvine +
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Irvine
75.0%
Irvine +
Jackson
55.0%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.0 µg/m³ | Irvine + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Irvine + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Irvine
26.0 min
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 21.9 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, 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 503 in Irvine. Irvine has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Irvine has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irvine scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.2%.
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