Jackson MS vs Lexington KY — 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%
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Lexington
35.2
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Lexington
14.4%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Lexington
9.2%
Lexington +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 35.2 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 11.0% | Lexington + |
| White | 14.5% | 69.9% | Lexington + |
| Black | 81.8% | 14.4% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 4.2% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 9.2% | Lexington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Lexington
$52,606
Lexington +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $67,631 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $42,272 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $52,606 | Lexington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 5.0% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 15.7% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 47.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Lexington
$332,727
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $332,727 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 53.6% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Lexington
55.6°F
Lexington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Lexington
45.2 in
Lexington +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 55.6°F | Lexington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 45.2 in | Lexington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Lexington +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lexington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Lexington
22.5 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 22.5 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while jackson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $88,100. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 247 in Jackson. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Jackson, MS vs New York, NYJackson, MS vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Jackson, MSHouston, TX vs Jackson, MSJackson, MS vs Phoenix, AZJackson, MS vs Philadelphia, PA