Jackson MS vs Manchester NH — 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%
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Manchester
115,415
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Manchester
37.9
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Manchester
5.3%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Manchester
4.6%
Manchester +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Manchester
13.5%
Manchester +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 115,415 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 37.9 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 14.8% | Manchester + |
| White | 14.5% | 76.7% | Manchester + |
| Black | 81.8% | 5.3% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 4.6% | Manchester + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 13.5% | Manchester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Manchester
33.5%
Manchester +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $77,415 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $44,220 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $75,331 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 3.8% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 10.7% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 33.5% | Manchester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Manchester
$441,257
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Manchester
49.3%
Manchester +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $441,257 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 49.3% | Manchester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Manchester
35.0%
Manchester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Manchester
17.4%
Manchester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Manchester
9.9%
Manchester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Manchester
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Manchester
12.9%
Manchester +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 35.0% | Manchester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 9.4% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 17.4% | Manchester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 9.9% | Manchester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.4% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 12.9% | Manchester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Manchester
49.2°F
Manchester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Manchester
44.6 in
Manchester +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 49.2°F | Manchester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 44.6 in | Manchester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Manchester +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Manchester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Manchester
25.7 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 25.7 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while jackson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $88,100. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 247 in Jackson. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Manchester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.0%.
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