Jackson MS vs Memphis TN — 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%
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Memphis
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Memphis
7.4%
Memphis +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Memphis
25.0%
Memphis +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Memphis
62.9%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Memphis
1.7%
Memphis +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Memphis
10.2%
Memphis +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Memphis
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 629,063 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 34.3 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 7.4% | Memphis + |
| White | 14.5% | 25.0% | Memphis + |
| Black | 81.8% | 62.9% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 1.7% | Memphis + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 10.2% | Memphis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Memphis
$51,211
Memphis +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Memphis
$32,314
Memphis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Memphis
$59,097
Memphis +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Memphis
8.3%
Memphis +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Memphis
22.5%
Memphis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Jackson +
Memphis
28.2%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $51,211 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $32,314 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $59,097 | Memphis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 8.3% | Memphis + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 22.5% | Memphis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 28.2% | Jackson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Memphis
$147,306
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Jackson +
Memphis
46.0%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $147,306 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 46.0% | Jackson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Memphis
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Memphis
2350
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 639 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 2350 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Memphis
42.1%
Memphis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Memphis
17.6%
Memphis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
Memphis
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Jackson +
Memphis
14.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Memphis
13.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Jackson +
Memphis
19.9%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 42.1% | Memphis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 17.6% | Memphis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 20.7% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 14.9% | Jackson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.5% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 19.9% | Jackson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Memphis
60.9°F
Memphis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Jackson +
Memphis
54.9 in
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 60.9°F | Memphis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 54.9 in | Jackson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Memphis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Memphis
75.0%
Memphis +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Memphis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Memphis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Memphis
22.9 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 22.9 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Memphis leads in median household income at $51,211, 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 639 in Memphis. Memphis has a lower unemployment rate at 8.3%, and Memphis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Memphis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.1%.
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