Jackson MS vs Madison WI — 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%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Madison
7.1%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Madison
9.3%
Madison +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 11.6% | Madison + |
| White | 14.5% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 81.8% | 7.1% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 9.3% | Madison + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Madison
$61,837
Madison +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Madison
16.2%
Madison +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $76,983 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $61,837 | Madison + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 16.2% | Madison + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Madison
$429,253
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Jackson +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $429,253 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 46.6% | Jackson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Madison
309
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 309 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 32.7% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 16.5% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 20.8% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 46.7°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 37.3 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Madison +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Madison
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Madison + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 21.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, 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 309 in Madison. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Madison has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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