Jackson MS vs North Charleston SC — 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%
North Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 117,460
- Median HH Income$62,789
- Median Home Price$313,219
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+28.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
North Charleston
117,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
White
Jackson
14.5%
North Charleston
39.1%
North Charleston +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
North Charleston
42.2%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 117,460 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 34.3 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 12.2% | North Charleston + |
| White | 14.5% | 39.1% | North Charleston + |
| Black | 81.8% | 42.2% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 3.5% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 12.8% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
North Charleston
$62,789
North Charleston +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
North Charleston
$54,550
North Charleston +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Jackson +
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $62,789 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $35,740 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $54,550 | North Charleston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 15.5% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 28.0% | Jackson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
North Charleston
$313,219
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Jackson +
North Charleston
48.5%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $313,219 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 48.5% | Jackson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
North Charleston
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
North Charleston
1999
| Metric | Jackson, MS | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 398 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1999 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
North Charleston
13.2%
North Charleston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Jackson +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
North Charleston
14.3%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 35.2% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 13.2% | North Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 17.5% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 15.3% | Jackson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 19.8% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.3% | North Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | North Charleston, SC | 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
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | North Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
North Charleston
26.8 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 26.8 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
North Charleston leads in median household income at $62,789, 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 398 in North Charleston. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and North Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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