Jackson MS vs Lansing MI — 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%
Lansing, MI
Michigan · Population: 112,546
- Median HH Income$52,170
- Median Home Price$166,132
- Unemployment8.1%
- Bachelor's+29.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Lansing
112,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Lansing
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Lansing
10.1%
Lansing +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Lansing
23.4%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Lansing
12.9%
Lansing +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Lansing
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 112,546 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 33.5 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 10.1% | Lansing + |
| White | 14.5% | 56.1% | Lansing + |
| Black | 81.8% | 23.4% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 5.3% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 12.9% | Lansing + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Lansing
$52,170
Lansing +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Lansing
$29,894
Lansing +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Lansing
$58,052
Lansing +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Lansing
8.1%
Lansing +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Lansing
19.9%
Lansing +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Lansing
29.6%
Lansing +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $52,170 | Lansing + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $29,894 | Lansing + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $58,052 | Lansing + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 8.1% | Lansing + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 19.9% | Lansing + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 29.6% | Lansing + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Lansing
$166,132
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $166,132 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 53.9% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Lansing
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 471 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1590 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Lansing
39.9%
Lansing +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Lansing
12.4%
Lansing +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
Lansing
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Lansing
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Lansing
16.8%
Lansing +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 39.9% | Lansing + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 12.4% | Lansing + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 19.6% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 9.3% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.4% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.8% | Lansing + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 48.8°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 32.2 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Jackson +
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Lansing
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Jackson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 21.2 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lansing leads in median household income at $52,170, 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 471 in Lansing. Lansing has a lower unemployment rate at 8.1%, and Jackson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lansing scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.9%.
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