Jackson MS vs Mount Vernon NY — 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%
Mount Vernon, NY
New York · Population: 72,528
- Median HH Income$77,171
- Median Home Price$579,771
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+35.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Mount Vernon
72,528
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Mount Vernon
41.9
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Mount Vernon
31.9%
Mount Vernon +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Mount Vernon
16.2%
Mount Vernon +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Mount Vernon
60.4%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Mount Vernon
2.2%
Mount Vernon +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Mount Vernon
18.3%
Mount Vernon +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 72,528 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 41.9 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 31.9% | Mount Vernon + |
| White | 14.5% | 16.2% | Mount Vernon + |
| Black | 81.8% | 60.4% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 2.2% | Mount Vernon + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 18.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Mount Vernon
$77,171
Mount Vernon +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Mount Vernon
$42,158
Mount Vernon +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Mount Vernon
$77,425
Mount Vernon +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Mount Vernon
6.9%
Mount Vernon +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Mount Vernon +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Mount Vernon
35.0%
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $77,171 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $42,158 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $77,425 | Mount Vernon + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 6.9% | Mount Vernon + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 13.6% | Mount Vernon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 35.0% | Mount Vernon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Mount Vernon
$579,771
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Jackson +
Mount Vernon
42.1%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $579,771 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 42.1% | Jackson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Mount Vernon
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Mount Vernon
1736
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 434 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1736 | Mount Vernon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Mount Vernon
33.2%
Mount Vernon +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Mount Vernon +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Mount Vernon
16.3%
Mount Vernon +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Mount Vernon
9.3%
Mount Vernon +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 33.2% | Mount Vernon + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 13.6% | Mount Vernon + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 16.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 9.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.8% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 12.8% | Mount Vernon + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Mount Vernon
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Mount Vernon
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Mount Vernon, NY | 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
Mount Vernon
8.1 µg/m³
Mount Vernon +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Mount Vernon
75.0%
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Mount Vernon + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mount Vernon + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Mount Vernon
38.6 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 38.6 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mount Vernon leads in median household income at $77,171, 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 434 in Mount Vernon. Mount Vernon has a lower unemployment rate at 6.9%, and Mount Vernon has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mount Vernon scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.2%.
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