Jackson MS vs Mobile AL — 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%
Mobile, AL
Alabama · Population: 185,097
- Median HH Income$51,090
- Median Home Price$197,044
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Mobile
185,097
Mobile +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Mobile
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Mobile
37.7
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Mobile
3.8%
Mobile +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Mobile
39.9%
Mobile +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Mobile
52.9%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Mobile
2.1%
Mobile +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Mobile
3.1%
Mobile +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Mobile
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 185,097 | Mobile + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 37.7 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 3.8% | Mobile + |
| White | 14.5% | 39.9% | Mobile + |
| Black | 81.8% | 52.9% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 2.1% | Mobile + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 3.1% | Mobile + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Mobile
$51,090
Mobile +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Mobile
$32,893
Mobile +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Mobile
$51,690
Mobile +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Mobile
5.9%
Mobile +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Mobile
18.9%
Mobile +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Mobile
31.5%
Mobile +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $51,090 | Mobile + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $32,893 | Mobile + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $51,690 | Mobile + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 5.9% | Mobile + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 18.9% | Mobile + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 31.5% | Mobile + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Mobile
$197,044
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Mobile
51.4%
Mobile +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $197,044 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 51.4% | Mobile + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Mobile
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 400 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1734 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Mobile
40.0%
Mobile +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Mobile
17.0%
Mobile +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Mobile
13.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Mobile
14.9%
Mobile +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 40.0% | Mobile + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 17.0% | Mobile + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 17.3% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 10.2% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.1% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.9% | Mobile + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Jackson +
Mobile
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Jackson +
Mobile
65.3 in
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 67.4°F | Jackson + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 65.3 in | Jackson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Mobile +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Mobile
75.0%
Mobile +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Mobile + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mobile + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Mobile
24.5 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 24.5 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mobile leads in median household income at $51,090, 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 400 in Mobile. Mobile has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Mobile has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mobile scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.0%.
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