Jackson MS vs Killeen TX — 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%
Killeen, TX
Texas · Population: 45,598
- Median HH Income$172,654
- Median Home Price$220,846
- Unemployment3.0%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Killeen
45,598
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Killeen
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Killeen
44.1
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Killeen
11.0%
Killeen +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Killeen
81.5%
Killeen +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Killeen
2.9%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Killeen
6.1%
Killeen +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Killeen
10.7%
Killeen +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Killeen
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 45,598 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 44.1 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 11.0% | Killeen + |
| White | 14.5% | 81.5% | Killeen + |
| Black | 81.8% | 2.9% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 6.1% | Killeen + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 10.7% | Killeen + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Killeen
$172,654
Killeen +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Killeen
$76,859
Killeen +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Killeen
$63,758
Killeen +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Killeen
3.0%
Killeen +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Killeen
3.2%
Killeen +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Killeen
60.1%
Killeen +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $172,654 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $76,859 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $63,758 | Killeen + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 3.0% | Killeen + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 3.2% | Killeen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 60.1% | Killeen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Killeen
$220,846
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Killeen
81.9%
Killeen +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $220,846 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 81.9% | Killeen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Killeen
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Killeen
2339
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 442 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 2339 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Killeen
45.7%
Killeen +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Killeen
13.0%
Killeen +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
Killeen
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Jackson +
Killeen
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Killeen
15.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Killeen
14.6%
Killeen +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 45.7% | Killeen + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 13.0% | Killeen + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 20.7% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 17.3% | Jackson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.0% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.6% | Killeen + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Jackson +
Killeen
66.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Killeen
33.1 in
Killeen +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 66.0°F | Jackson + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 33.1 in | Killeen + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Killeen
9.2 µg/m³
Killeen +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Killeen
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Killeen + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Killeen
30.4 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 30.4 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Killeen leads in median household income at $172,654, 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 442 in Killeen. Killeen has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Killeen has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Killeen scores better with a lower obesity rate of 45.7%.
Compare More Cities
Jackson, MS vs New York, NYJackson, MS vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Jackson, MSHouston, TX vs Jackson, MSJackson, MS vs Phoenix, AZJackson, MS vs Philadelphia, PA