Jackson MS vs New Bedford MA — 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%
New Bedford, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 100,731
- Median HH Income$56,025
- Median Home Price$439,767
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+16.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
New Bedford
100,731
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
New Bedford
37.0
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
White
Jackson
14.5%
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
New Bedford
6.0%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
New Bedford
1.5%
New Bedford +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 100,731 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 37.0 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 20.7% | New Bedford + |
| White | 14.5% | 57.5% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 81.8% | 6.0% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 1.5% | New Bedford + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 24.5% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
New Bedford
$56,025
New Bedford +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
New Bedford
$30,475
New Bedford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
New Bedford
7.6%
New Bedford +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
New Bedford
19.9%
New Bedford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Jackson +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $56,025 | New Bedford + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $30,475 | New Bedford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 7.6% | New Bedford + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 19.9% | New Bedford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 16.8% | Jackson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
New Bedford
$439,767
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Jackson +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $439,767 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 40.0% | Jackson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
New Bedford
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 326 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
New Bedford
36.3%
New Bedford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
New Bedford
13.2%
New Bedford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
New Bedford
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Jackson +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 36.3% | New Bedford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 13.2% | New Bedford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 22.0% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 11.1% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.0% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 21.4% | Jackson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
New Bedford
51.9 in
New Bedford +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 51.8°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 51.9 in | New Bedford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
New Bedford +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Bedford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
New Bedford
27.2 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 27.2 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Bedford leads in median household income at $56,025, 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 326 in New Bedford. New Bedford has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Bedford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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