Jackson MS vs Murrieta 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%
Murrieta, CA
California · Population: 84,304
- Median HH Income$158,461
- Median Home Price$690,322
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+69.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Murrieta
84,304
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Murrieta
46.0
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Murrieta
15.9%
Murrieta +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Murrieta
79.2%
Murrieta +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Murrieta
0.7%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Murrieta
8.1%
Murrieta +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Murrieta
10.1%
Murrieta +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 84,304 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 46.0 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 15.9% | Murrieta + |
| White | 14.5% | 79.2% | Murrieta + |
| Black | 81.8% | 0.7% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 8.1% | Murrieta + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 10.1% | Murrieta + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Murrieta
$158,461
Murrieta +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Murrieta
$113,918
Murrieta +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Murrieta
$77,230
Murrieta +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Murrieta
4.4%
Murrieta +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Murrieta
7.3%
Murrieta +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Murrieta
69.6%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $158,461 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $113,918 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $77,230 | Murrieta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 4.4% | Murrieta + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 7.3% | Murrieta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 69.6% | Murrieta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Murrieta
$690,322
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Murrieta
53.1%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $690,322 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 53.1% | Murrieta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Murrieta
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Murrieta
2388
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Murrieta, 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%
Murrieta
33.4%
Murrieta +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Murrieta
17.0%
Murrieta +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Murrieta
7.5%
Murrieta +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Murrieta
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 33.4% | Murrieta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 10.0% | Murrieta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 17.0% | Murrieta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 7.5% | Murrieta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.6% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 10.0% | Murrieta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Murrieta
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Murrieta, CA | 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
Murrieta
7.9 µg/m³
Murrieta +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Murrieta
75.0%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Murrieta + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Murrieta + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Murrieta
24.9 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 24.9 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murrieta leads in median household income at $158,461, 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 Murrieta. Murrieta has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Murrieta has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Murrieta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.4%.
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