Jackson MS vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Newark
34.8
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Newark
16.5%
Newark +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Newark
46.7%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Newark
1.9%
Newark +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 34.8 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 14.5% | 16.5% | Newark + |
| Black | 81.8% | 46.7% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 1.9% | Newark + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Newark
$48,416
Newark +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Jackson +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Jackson +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Newark
24.7%
Newark +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Jackson +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $48,416 | Newark + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $25,509 | Jackson + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 10.9% | Jackson + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 24.7% | Newark + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 17.4% | Jackson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Jackson +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $482,675 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 24.1% | Jackson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Newark
14.6%
Newark +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Jackson +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Newark
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Jackson +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 35.9% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 14.6% | Newark + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 20.0% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 23.4% | Jackson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.3% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 18.2% | Jackson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Newark
46.3 in
Newark +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 54.9°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 46.3 in | Newark + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 35.9 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Newark leads in median household income at $48,416, while jackson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $88,100. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 247 in Jackson. Jackson has a lower unemployment rate at 9.4%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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