Jackson MS vs Lakeland FL — 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%
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Lakeland
82,506
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Lakeland
8.8%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 82,506 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 48.4 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 12.9% | Lakeland + |
| White | 14.5% | 74.1% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 81.8% | 8.8% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 3.7% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 14.4% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Lakeland
$60,465
Lakeland +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Lakeland
$36,322
Lakeland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Jackson +
Lakeland
26.8%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $60,465 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $36,322 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $65,328 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 4.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 12.0% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 26.8% | Jackson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Lakeland
$312,001
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $312,001 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 61.1% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Lakeland
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 324 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1453 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Lakeland
38.9%
Lakeland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Lakeland
13.3%
Lakeland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Lakeland
18.3%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Jackson +
Lakeland
16.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Lakeland
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Lakeland
14.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 38.9% | Lakeland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 13.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.3% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 16.4% | Jackson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.9% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.1% | Lakeland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Jackson +
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Jackson +
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 72.6°F | Jackson + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 54.8 in | Jackson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lakeland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Lakeland
25.6 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 25.6 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakeland leads in median household income at $60,465, 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 324 in Lakeland. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakeland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.9%.
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