Jackson MS vs Laredo 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%
Laredo, TX
Texas · Population: 255,949
- Median HH Income$63,264
- Median Home Price$221,806
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Laredo
255,949
Laredo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Laredo
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Laredo
29.7
Laredo +
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Laredo
25.4%
Laredo +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Laredo
37.6%
Laredo +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Laredo
0.5%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Laredo
0.5%
Laredo +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Laredo
95.2%
Laredo +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Laredo
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 255,949 | Laredo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 29.7 | Laredo + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 25.4% | Laredo + |
| White | 14.5% | 37.6% | Laredo + |
| Black | 81.8% | 0.5% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 0.5% | Laredo + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 95.2% | Laredo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Laredo
$63,264
Laredo +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Jackson +
Laredo
$24,584
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Laredo
$63,758
Laredo +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Laredo
5.5%
Laredo +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Laredo
20.8%
Laredo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Jackson +
Laredo
21.5%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $63,264 | Laredo + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $24,584 | Jackson + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $63,758 | Laredo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 5.5% | Laredo + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 20.8% | Laredo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 21.5% | Jackson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Laredo
$221,806
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Laredo
63.3%
Laredo +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $221,806 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 63.3% | Laredo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Laredo
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Laredo
2339
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Laredo, 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%
Laredo
42.2%
Laredo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Laredo
16.4%
Laredo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Laredo
17.3%
Laredo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Jackson +
Laredo
35.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Laredo
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Laredo
13.1%
Laredo +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 42.2% | Laredo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 16.4% | Laredo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 17.3% | Laredo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 35.7% | Jackson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.2% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 13.1% | Laredo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Jackson +
Laredo
74.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Laredo
20.2 in
Laredo +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 74.2°F | Jackson + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 20.2 in | Laredo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Laredo
9.2 µg/m³
Laredo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Laredo
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Laredo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Laredo
22.7 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 22.7 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Laredo leads in median household income at $63,264, 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 Laredo. Laredo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Laredo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Laredo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.2%.
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