Jackson MS vs Meridian ID — 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%
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Meridian
124,865
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Meridian
4.8%
Meridian +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Meridian
2.1%
Meridian +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Meridian
9.5%
Meridian +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 124,865 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 37.4 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 4.8% | Meridian + |
| White | 14.5% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 81.8% | 1.6% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 2.1% | Meridian + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 9.5% | Meridian + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Meridian
$57,074
Meridian +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $57,074 | Meridian + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $534,732 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Meridian
251
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 251 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 17.6% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Meridian +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Meridian + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Meridian
23.6 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 23.6 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, 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 251 in Meridian. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Meridian has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
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