Jackson MS vs Miami FL — 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%
Miami, FL
Florida · Population: 446,663
- Median HH Income$59,390
- Median Home Price$580,996
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Miami
446,663
Miami +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Miami
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Miami
39.7
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Miami
57.7%
Miami +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Miami
34.2%
Miami +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Miami
13.7%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Miami
1.6%
Miami +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Miami
71.2%
Miami +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Miami
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 446,663 | Miami + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 39.7 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 57.7% | Miami + |
| White | 14.5% | 34.2% | Miami + |
| Black | 81.8% | 13.7% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 1.6% | Miami + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 71.2% | Miami + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Miami
$59,390
Miami +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Miami
$42,528
Miami +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Miami
$65,328
Miami +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Miami
5.0%
Miami +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Miami
19.2%
Miami +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Miami
35.6%
Miami +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $59,390 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $42,528 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $65,328 | Miami + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 5.0% | Miami + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 19.2% | Miami + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 35.6% | Miami + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Miami
$580,996
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Jackson +
Miami
30.7%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $580,996 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 30.7% | Jackson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Miami
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Miami
1453
Miami +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 324 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1453 | Miami + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Miami
29.9%
Miami +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Miami
15.5%
Miami +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Miami
15.0%
Miami +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Jackson +
Miami
27.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Miami
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Miami
12.3%
Miami +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 29.9% | Miami + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 15.5% | Miami + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 15.0% | Miami + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 27.2% | Jackson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.3% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 12.3% | Miami + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Jackson +
Miami
75.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Jackson +
Miami
64.1 in
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 75.8°F | Jackson + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 64.1 in | Jackson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Miami
7.2 µg/m³
Miami +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Miami
75.0%
Miami +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Miami + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Miami + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Miami
29.9 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 29.9 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami leads in median household income at $59,390, 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 324 in Miami. Miami has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Miami has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.9%.
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