Jackson MS vs Lubbock TX — 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%
Lubbock, TX
Texas · Population: 261,078
- Median HH Income$60,487
- Median Home Price$210,477
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+34.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Lubbock
6.2%
Lubbock +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Lubbock
64.6%
Lubbock +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Lubbock
8.3%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Lubbock
2.8%
Lubbock +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 261,078 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 30.4 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 6.2% | Lubbock + |
| White | 14.5% | 64.6% | Lubbock + |
| Black | 81.8% | 8.3% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 2.8% | Lubbock + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 36.8% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Lubbock
$60,487
Lubbock +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Lubbock
$34,629
Lubbock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Lubbock
$63,758
Lubbock +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Lubbock
19.0%
Lubbock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Lubbock
34.9%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $60,487 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $34,629 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $63,758 | Lubbock + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 4.8% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 19.0% | Lubbock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 34.9% | Lubbock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Lubbock
$210,477
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Lubbock
50.8%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $210,477 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 50.8% | Lubbock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Lubbock
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Lubbock
2339
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 442 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 2339 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Lubbock
35.8%
Lubbock +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Lubbock
11.8%
Lubbock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
Lubbock
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Jackson +
Lubbock
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Lubbock
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Lubbock
13.0%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 35.8% | Lubbock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 11.8% | Lubbock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.5% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 18.4% | Jackson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 17.6% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 13.0% | Lubbock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Lubbock
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Lubbock
21.1 in
Lubbock +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 21.1 in | Lubbock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Lubbock +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Lubbock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Lubbock + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 17.4 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lubbock leads in median household income at $60,487, 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 442 in Lubbock. Lubbock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Lubbock has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lubbock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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