Jackson MS vs New Orleans LA — 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 Orleans, LA
Louisiana · Population: 376,035
- Median HH Income$55,339
- Median Home Price$245,988
- Unemployment7.8%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
New Orleans
38.4
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
New Orleans
6.6%
New Orleans +
White
Jackson
14.5%
New Orleans
31.6%
New Orleans +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
New Orleans
55.2%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
New Orleans
2.8%
New Orleans +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
New Orleans
7.9%
New Orleans +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 376,035 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 38.4 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 6.6% | New Orleans + |
| White | 14.5% | 31.6% | New Orleans + |
| Black | 81.8% | 55.2% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 2.8% | New Orleans + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 7.9% | New Orleans + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
New Orleans
$55,339
New Orleans +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
New Orleans
$55,297
New Orleans +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
New Orleans
7.8%
New Orleans +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
New Orleans
22.6%
New Orleans +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $55,339 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $39,698 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $55,297 | New Orleans + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 7.8% | New Orleans + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 22.6% | New Orleans + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 41.9% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
New Orleans
$245,988
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $245,988 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 50.5% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | Jackson, MS | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 643 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 2824 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
New Orleans
15.1%
New Orleans +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
New Orleans
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
New Orleans
15.5%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 34.0% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 15.1% | New Orleans + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 19.4% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 8.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 19.7% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.5% | New Orleans + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Jackson +
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Jackson, MS | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 66.6 in | Jackson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
New Orleans +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | New Orleans + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Orleans + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
New Orleans
24.6 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 24.6 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Orleans leads in median household income at $55,339, 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 643 in New Orleans. New Orleans has a lower unemployment rate at 7.8%, and New Orleans has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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