Jackson MS vs Modesto CA — 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%
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Modesto
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Modesto
35.4
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Modesto
50.8%
Modesto +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Modesto
4.7%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Modesto
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 218,614 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 35.4 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 18.7% | Modesto + |
| White | 14.5% | 50.8% | Modesto + |
| Black | 81.8% | 4.7% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 7.4% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 43.9% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Modesto
$34,656
Modesto +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Modesto
7.3%
Modesto +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Jackson +
Modesto
20.3%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $77,899 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $34,656 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $77,230 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 7.3% | Modesto + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 13.0% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 20.3% | Jackson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Modesto
$447,353
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $447,353 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 58.4% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Modesto
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Modesto
2388
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 503 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 2388 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Modesto
36.2%
Modesto +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Modesto
12.1%
Modesto +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
Modesto
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Jackson +
Modesto
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Modesto
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Modesto
13.7%
Modesto +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 36.2% | Modesto + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 12.1% | Modesto + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 19.0% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 13.0% | Jackson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.5% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 13.7% | Modesto + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Modesto
63.7°F
Modesto +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 63.7°F | Modesto + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 13.1 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Modesto
75.0%
Modesto +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Modesto + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Modesto
30.5 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 30.5 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, 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 503 in Modesto. Modesto has a lower unemployment rate at 7.3%, and Modesto has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Modesto scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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