Jackson MS vs Kent WA — 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%
Kent, WA
Washington · Population: 84,389
- Median HH Income$72,867
- Median Home Price$657,911
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+27.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Kent
84,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Kent
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Kent
35.8
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Kent
2.3%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Kent
1.9%
Kent +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Kent
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 84,389 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 35.8 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 14.1% | Kent + |
| White | 14.5% | 67.2% | Kent + |
| Black | 81.8% | 2.3% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 1.9% | Kent + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 31.8% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Kent
$35,662
Kent +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Jackson +
Kent
27.0%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $72,867 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $35,662 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $76,120 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 4.9% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 13.9% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 27.0% | Jackson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Kent
$657,911
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $657,911 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 62.8% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Kent
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Kent
3409
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 383 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 3409 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Kent
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 25.7% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 9.3% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 17.2% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 10.6% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.7% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 10.3% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Kent
39.1 in
Kent +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 53.2°F | Kent + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 39.1 in | Kent + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Kent
75.0%
Kent +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Kent + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Kent
23.0 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 23.0 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, 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 383 in Kent. Kent has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Kent has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kent scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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