Jackson MS vs Knoxville TN — 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%
Knoxville, TN
Tennessee · Population: 193,721
- Median HH Income$50,994
- Median Home Price$371,202
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+33.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Knoxville
7.0%
Knoxville +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Knoxville
15.7%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Knoxville
1.6%
Knoxville +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Knoxville
7.5%
Knoxville +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 193,721 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 33.3 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 7.0% | Knoxville + |
| White | 14.5% | 72.2% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 81.8% | 15.7% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 1.6% | Knoxville + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 7.5% | Knoxville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Knoxville
$50,994
Knoxville +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Knoxville
$33,171
Knoxville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Knoxville
$59,097
Knoxville +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Knoxville
20.5%
Knoxville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $50,994 | Knoxville + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $33,171 | Knoxville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $59,097 | Knoxville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 4.4% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 20.5% | Knoxville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 33.7% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Knoxville
$371,202
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Jackson +
Knoxville
46.6%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $371,202 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 46.6% | Jackson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Knoxville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Knoxville
2350
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 639 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 2350 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Knoxville
36.0%
Knoxville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Knoxville
12.6%
Knoxville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
Knoxville
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Jackson +
Knoxville
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Knoxville
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Knoxville
17.8%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 36.0% | Knoxville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 12.6% | Knoxville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 22.0% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 12.9% | Jackson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.8% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 17.8% | Knoxville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Knoxville
57.8°F
Knoxville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Knoxville
51.9 in
Knoxville +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 57.8°F | Knoxville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 51.9 in | Knoxville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Knoxville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Knoxville
75.0%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Knoxville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Knoxville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Knoxville
22.0 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 22.0 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Knoxville leads in median household income at $50,994, 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 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Knoxville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Knoxville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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