Jackson MS vs Kansas City MO — 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%
Kansas City, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Kansas City
35.7
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Kansas City
8.5%
Kansas City +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Kansas City
25.8%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Kansas City
2.7%
Kansas City +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Kansas City
12.3%
Kansas City +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 508,233 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 35.7 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 8.5% | Kansas City + |
| White | 14.5% | 57.8% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 81.8% | 25.8% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 2.7% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 12.3% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Kansas City
$58,527
Kansas City +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $67,449 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $40,112 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $58,527 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 4.7% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 14.6% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 37.8% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Kansas City
$253,319
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $253,319 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 54.6% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Kansas City
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Kansas City
2418
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 501 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 2418 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Kansas City
38.5%
Kansas City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Kansas City
12.0%
Kansas City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
Kansas City
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Kansas City
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Kansas City
15.6%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 38.5% | Kansas City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 12.0% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.8% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 10.6% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.7% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.6% | Kansas City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Kansas City
54.6°F
Kansas City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Kansas City
38.9 in
Kansas City +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 54.6°F | Kansas City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 38.9 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Kansas City
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Kansas City
23.4 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 23.4 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, 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 501 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kansas City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.5%.
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