Jackson MS vs Norman OK — 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%
Norman, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 128,714
- Median HH Income$65,060
- Median Home Price$264,711
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Norman
128,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Norman
7.2%
Norman +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Norman
5.1%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Norman
9.0%
Norman +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 128,714 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 31.6 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 7.2% | Norman + |
| White | 14.5% | 73.0% | Norman + |
| Black | 81.8% | 5.1% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 4.2% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 9.0% | Norman + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Norman
$65,060
Norman +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Norman
$57,929
Norman +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Norman
5.7%
Norman +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Norman
17.0%
Norman +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $65,060 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $37,897 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $57,929 | Norman + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 5.7% | Norman + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 17.0% | Norman + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 46.2% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Norman
$264,711
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Norman
52.7%
Norman +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $264,711 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 52.7% | Norman + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Norman
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Norman
2375
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 429 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 2375 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
Norman
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Norman
14.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 35.8% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 9.8% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.8% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 9.2% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.0% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 12.8% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Norman
60.2°F
Norman +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Norman
38.9 in
Norman +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 60.2°F | Norman + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 38.9 in | Norman + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Norman +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Norman
75.0%
Norman +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Norman + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Norman + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Norman
24.2 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 24.2 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norman leads in median household income at $65,060, 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 429 in Norman. Norman has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Norman has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norman scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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