Jackson MS vs Lincoln NE — 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%
Lincoln, NE
Nebraska · Population: 291,932
- Median HH Income$69,991
- Median Home Price$293,233
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+40.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Lincoln
9.2%
Lincoln +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Lincoln
4.2%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Lincoln
8.8%
Lincoln +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 291,932 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 33.4 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 9.2% | Lincoln + |
| White | 14.5% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 81.8% | 4.2% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 4.5% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 8.8% | Lincoln + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $69,991 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $39,187 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $66,354 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 12.6% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 40.9% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Lincoln
$293,233
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $293,233 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 55.8% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Lincoln
294
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Lincoln
1960
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 294 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1960 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Lincoln
35.1%
Lincoln +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 35.1% | Lincoln + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 9.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 9.6% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 20.6% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 12.5% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 51.6°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 29.0 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lincoln + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lincoln leads in median household income at $69,991, 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 294 in Lincoln. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Lincoln has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lincoln scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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