Jackson MS vs Lowell MA — 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%
Lowell, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 114,799
- Median HH Income$76,205
- Median Home Price$484,226
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Lowell
35.5
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Lowell
50.9%
Lowell +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Lowell
10.8%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 114,799 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 35.5 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 14.5% | 50.9% | Lowell + |
| Black | 81.8% | 10.8% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 19.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Lowell
29.9%
Lowell +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $76,205 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $36,138 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 5.4% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 16.0% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 29.9% | Lowell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Jackson +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $484,226 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 44.0% | Jackson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Lowell
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 326 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Lowell
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Lowell
14.1%
Lowell +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 10.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.5% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.1% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.1% | Lowell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Lowell
47.0 in
Lowell +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 47.0 in | Lowell + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Lowell +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lowell + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 30.1 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, 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 326 in Lowell. Lowell has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lowell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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