Jackson MS vs Milwaukee WI — 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%
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Milwaukee
36.5%
Milwaukee +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Milwaukee
38.6%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 10.8% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 14.5% | 36.5% | Milwaukee + |
| Black | 81.8% | 38.6% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 4.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 20.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Milwaukee
$51,888
Milwaukee +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Milwaukee
$29,679
Milwaukee +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Milwaukee
23.3%
Milwaukee +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Jackson +
Milwaukee
26.6%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $51,888 | Milwaukee + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $29,679 | Milwaukee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $61,837 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 5.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 23.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 26.6% | Jackson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Milwaukee
$226,456
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Jackson +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $226,456 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 41.5% | Jackson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Milwaukee
309
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 309 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Milwaukee
41.8%
Milwaukee +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Milwaukee
14.7%
Milwaukee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
Milwaukee
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Jackson +
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Milwaukee
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Milwaukee
17.3%
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 41.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 14.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 19.1% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 14.1% | Jackson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.3% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 17.3% | Milwaukee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 47.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 35.5 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Milwaukee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Milwaukee
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Milwaukee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Milwaukee
24.1 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 24.1 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Milwaukee leads in median household income at $51,888, 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 309 in Milwaukee. Milwaukee has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Milwaukee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Milwaukee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.8%.
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