Jackson MS vs Macon GA — 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%
Macon, GA
Georgia · Population: 61,773
- Median HH Income$70,086
- Median Home Price$171,916
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Macon
61,773
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Macon
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Macon
35.2
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Macon
18.3%
Macon +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Macon
43.7%
Macon +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Macon
30.4%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Macon
2.0%
Macon +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Macon
19.8%
Macon +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 61,773 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 35.2 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 18.3% | Macon + |
| White | 14.5% | 43.7% | Macon + |
| Black | 81.8% | 30.4% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 2.0% | Macon + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 19.8% | Macon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Macon
$70,086
Macon +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Macon
$43,074
Macon +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Macon
$57,405
Macon +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Macon
12.7%
Macon +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Macon
46.8%
Macon +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $70,086 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $43,074 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $57,405 | Macon + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 3.9% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 12.7% | Macon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 46.8% | Macon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Macon
$171,916
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Jackson +
Macon
47.2%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $171,916 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 47.2% | Jackson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Macon
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Macon
1752
Macon +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 392 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1752 | Macon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Macon
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Macon
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Macon
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Macon
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Macon
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Macon, GA | 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
Macon
64.6°F
Tie
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Macon
45.7 in
Macon +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 64.6°F | Tie |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 45.7 in | Macon + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Macon +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Macon
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Macon + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Macon
30.2 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 30.2 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Macon leads in median household income at $70,086, 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 392 in Macon. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Macon has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 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