Jackson MS vs Mesa AZ — 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%
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Mesa
37.2
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Mesa
11.2%
Mesa +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Mesa
4.4%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Mesa
2.5%
Mesa +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 507,478 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 37.2 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 11.2% | Mesa + |
| White | 14.5% | 69.7% | Mesa + |
| Black | 81.8% | 4.4% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 2.5% | Mesa + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 26.6% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Mesa
$39,586
Mesa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Mesa
$59,120
Mesa +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Mesa
31.5%
Mesa +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $78,779 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $39,586 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $59,120 | Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 4.6% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 10.5% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 31.5% | Mesa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Mesa
$435,670
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $435,670 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 64.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Mesa
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Mesa
2150
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 450 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 2150 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Jackson +
Mesa
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Mesa
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 30.7% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 10.6% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 13.0% | Jackson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.1% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 11.4% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Jackson +
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 71.8°F | Jackson + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 11.7 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Mesa +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mesa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Mesa
26.7 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 26.7 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, 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 450 in Mesa. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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