Jackson MS vs Las Vegas NV — 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%
Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 650,873
- Median HH Income$70,723
- Median Home Price$426,069
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Las Vegas
38.5
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Las Vegas
49.2%
Las Vegas +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Las Vegas
11.9%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 650,873 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 38.5 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 20.9% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 14.5% | 49.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Black | 81.8% | 11.9% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 6.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 34.1% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Las Vegas
$70,723
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Las Vegas
$38,421
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Las Vegas
$62,696
Las Vegas +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Las Vegas
7.2%
Las Vegas +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Las Vegas
14.2%
Las Vegas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Jackson +
Las Vegas
27.3%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $70,723 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $38,421 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $62,696 | Las Vegas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 7.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 14.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 27.3% | Jackson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Las Vegas
$426,069
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Las Vegas
55.7%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $426,069 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 55.7% | Las Vegas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Las Vegas
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Las Vegas
2417
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 460 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 2417 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Las Vegas
32.4%
Las Vegas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Las Vegas
12.5%
Las Vegas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
Las Vegas
19.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Jackson +
Las Vegas
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Las Vegas
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Las Vegas
15.6%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 32.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 12.5% | Las Vegas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 19.5% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 17.0% | Jackson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.4% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.6% | Las Vegas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Jackson +
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 67.4°F | Jackson + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 5.1 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Las Vegas
75.0%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Las Vegas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Las Vegas
27.7 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 27.7 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Vegas leads in median household income at $70,723, 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 460 in Las Vegas. Las Vegas has a lower unemployment rate at 7.2%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Las Vegas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.4%.
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