Jackson MS vs Lee's Summit MO — 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%
Lee's Summit, MO
Missouri · Population: 102,583
- Median HH Income$104,989
- Median Home Price$313,200
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Lee's Summit
102,583
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Lee's Summit
38.6
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Lee's Summit
4.2%
Lee's Summit +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Lee's Summit
78.7%
Lee's Summit +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Lee's Summit
10.2%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Lee's Summit
1.9%
Lee's Summit +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Lee's Summit
5.3%
Lee's Summit +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 102,583 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 38.6 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 4.2% | Lee's Summit + |
| White | 14.5% | 78.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| Black | 81.8% | 10.2% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 1.9% | Lee's Summit + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 5.3% | Lee's Summit + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Lee's Summit
$104,989
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Lee's Summit
$48,687
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Lee's Summit
$58,527
Lee's Summit +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Lee's Summit
3.9%
Lee's Summit +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Lee's Summit
5.5%
Lee's Summit +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Lee's Summit
48.7%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $104,989 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $48,687 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $58,527 | Lee's Summit + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 3.9% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 5.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 48.7% | Lee's Summit + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Lee's Summit
$313,200
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Lee's Summit
73.6%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $313,200 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 73.6% | Lee's Summit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Lee's Summit
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Lee's Summit
2418
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 501 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 2418 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Lee's Summit
32.6%
Lee's Summit +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Lee's Summit
9.5%
Lee's Summit +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Lee's Summit
16.7%
Lee's Summit +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Lee's Summit
6.4%
Lee's Summit +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Lee's Summit
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Lee's Summit
11.9%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 32.6% | Lee's Summit + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 9.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 16.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 6.4% | Lee's Summit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 18.5% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 11.9% | Lee's Summit + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Lee's Summit
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Lee's Summit
9.3 µg/m³
Lee's Summit +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Lee's Summit
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Lee's Summit + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Lee's Summit
26.9 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 26.9 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lee's Summit leads in median household income at $104,989, 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 501 in Lee's Summit. Lee's Summit has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Lee's Summit has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lee's Summit scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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