Jackson MS vs Lafayette LA — 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%
Lafayette, LA
Louisiana · Population: 121,537
- Median HH Income$61,454
- Median Home Price$225,222
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Lafayette
121,537
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Lafayette
37.1
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Lafayette
6.6%
Lafayette +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Lafayette
28.6%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Lafayette
2.1%
Lafayette +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Lafayette
7.6%
Lafayette +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 121,537 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 37.1 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 6.6% | Lafayette + |
| White | 14.5% | 59.1% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 81.8% | 28.6% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 2.1% | Lafayette + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 7.6% | Lafayette + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Lafayette
$61,454
Lafayette +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Lafayette
$55,297
Lafayette +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Lafayette
19.1%
Lafayette +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $61,454 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $39,861 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $55,297 | Lafayette + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 5.1% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 19.1% | Lafayette + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 40.6% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Lafayette
$225,222
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $225,222 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 55.0% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Lafayette
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Lafayette
2824
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 643 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 2824 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Lafayette
14.0%
Lafayette +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
Lafayette
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Lafayette
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Lafayette
16.1%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 34.5% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 14.0% | Lafayette + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.4% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 8.3% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 17.8% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.1% | Lafayette + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Jackson +
Lafayette
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Jackson +
Lafayette
61.0 in
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 67.6°F | Jackson + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 61.0 in | Jackson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Lafayette +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Lafayette
75.0%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Lafayette + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lafayette + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 21.5 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lafayette leads in median household income at $61,454, 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 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Lafayette has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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