Jackson MS vs Miami Gardens 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 Gardens, FL
Florida · Population: 11,627
- Median HH Income$137,873
- Median Home Price$472,888
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+64.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Miami Gardens
11,627
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Miami Gardens
37.7
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Miami Gardens
29.1%
Miami Gardens +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Miami Gardens
52.5%
Miami Gardens +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Miami Gardens
15.3%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Miami Gardens
3.5%
Miami Gardens +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Miami Gardens
34.0%
Miami Gardens +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 11,627 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 37.7 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 29.1% | Miami Gardens + |
| White | 14.5% | 52.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| Black | 81.8% | 15.3% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 3.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 34.0% | Miami Gardens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Miami Gardens
$137,873
Miami Gardens +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Miami Gardens
$57,003
Miami Gardens +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Miami Gardens
$65,328
Miami Gardens +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Miami Gardens
6.5%
Miami Gardens +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Miami Gardens
7.9%
Miami Gardens +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Miami Gardens
64.7%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $137,873 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $57,003 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $65,328 | Miami Gardens + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 6.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 7.9% | Miami Gardens + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 64.7% | Miami Gardens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Miami Gardens
$472,888
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Miami Gardens
86.7%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $472,888 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 86.7% | Miami Gardens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Miami Gardens
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Miami Gardens
1453
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 324 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1453 | Miami Gardens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Miami Gardens
34.3%
Miami Gardens +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Miami Gardens
17.3%
Miami Gardens +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Miami Gardens
17.5%
Miami Gardens +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Jackson +
Miami Gardens
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Miami Gardens
12.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Miami Gardens
15.4%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 34.3% | Miami Gardens + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 17.3% | Miami Gardens + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 17.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 22.4% | Jackson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.7% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.4% | Miami Gardens + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Miami Gardens
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Miami Gardens
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Miami Gardens, FL | 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
Miami Gardens
7.2 µg/m³
Miami Gardens +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Miami Gardens
75.0%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Miami Gardens + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Miami Gardens + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Miami Gardens
29.2 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 29.2 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami Gardens leads in median household income at $137,873, 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 Gardens. Miami Gardens has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Miami Gardens has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami Gardens scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.3%.
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