Jackson MS vs Naperville IL — 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%
Naperville, IL
Illinois · Population: 149,424
- Median HH Income$150,937
- Median Home Price$618,452
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+71.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Naperville
149,424
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Naperville
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Naperville
40.1
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Naperville
22.6%
Naperville +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Naperville
64.5%
Naperville +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Naperville
4.4%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 149,424 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 40.1 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 22.6% | Naperville + |
| White | 14.5% | 64.5% | Naperville + |
| Black | 81.8% | 4.4% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 21.8% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 7.4% | Naperville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Naperville
$68,110
Naperville +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $150,937 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $71,011 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $68,110 | Naperville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 4.2% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 4.4% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 71.7% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Naperville
$618,452
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $618,452 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 74.3% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Naperville
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Naperville
1842
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 344 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1842 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Naperville
27.9%
Naperville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Naperville
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 27.9% | Naperville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 8.7% | Naperville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 12.3% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 4.6% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.7% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 7.4% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Naperville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Naperville, IL | 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
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Naperville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Naperville
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Naperville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Naperville
33.8 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 33.8 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, 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 344 in Naperville. Naperville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Naperville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Naperville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.9%.
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