Jackson MS vs Jacksonville FL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Jackson, MS
Mississippi · Population: 149,827
- Median HH Income$43,238
- Median Home Price$88,100
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Jacksonville
36.4
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Jacksonville
12.2%
Jacksonville +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Jacksonville
51.2%
Jacksonville +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Jacksonville
30.1%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Jacksonville
4.9%
Jacksonville +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Jacksonville
12.0%
Jacksonville +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 961,739 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 36.4 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 12.2% | Jacksonville + |
| White | 14.5% | 51.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Black | 81.8% | 30.1% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 4.9% | Jacksonville + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 12.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Jacksonville
$66,981
Jacksonville +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Jacksonville
$37,269
Jacksonville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Jacksonville
$65,328
Jacksonville +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Jacksonville
4.6%
Jacksonville +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Jacksonville
15.0%
Jacksonville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Jacksonville
31.9%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $66,981 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $37,269 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $65,328 | Jacksonville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 4.6% | Jacksonville + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 15.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 31.9% | Jacksonville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Jacksonville
$286,396
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Jacksonville
57.4%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $286,396 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 57.4% | Jacksonville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Jacksonville
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 324 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1453 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Jacksonville
34.8%
Jacksonville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Jacksonville
13.2%
Jacksonville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
Jacksonville
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Jackson +
Jacksonville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Jacksonville
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Jacksonville
14.8%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 34.8% | Jacksonville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 13.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.8% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 13.9% | Jackson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.2% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.8% | Jacksonville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Jackson +
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Jacksonville
50.0 in
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 70.2°F | Jackson + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 50.0 in | Jacksonville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Jacksonville
75.0%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Jacksonville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Jacksonville
26.0 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 26.0 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jacksonville leads in median household income at $66,981, 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 Jacksonville. Jacksonville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Jacksonville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jacksonville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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