Jackson MS vs Omaha NE — 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%
Omaha, NE
Nebraska · Population: 488,197
- Median HH Income$72,708
- Median Home Price$297,017
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+40.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Omaha
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Omaha
35.3
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Omaha
10.9%
Omaha +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Omaha
11.8%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Omaha
4.0%
Omaha +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Omaha
15.6%
Omaha +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Omaha
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 488,197 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 35.3 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 10.9% | Omaha + |
| White | 14.5% | 68.8% | Omaha + |
| Black | 81.8% | 11.8% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 4.0% | Omaha + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 15.6% | Omaha + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Omaha
$72,708
Omaha +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Omaha
$66,354
Omaha +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Omaha
40.3%
Omaha +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $72,708 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $42,515 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $66,354 | Omaha + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 4.2% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 12.8% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 40.3% | Omaha + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Omaha
$297,017
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Omaha
57.7%
Omaha +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $297,017 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 57.7% | Omaha + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Omaha
294
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Omaha
1960
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 294 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1960 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Omaha
37.5%
Omaha +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Omaha
10.2%
Omaha +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Omaha
12.0%
Omaha +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Omaha
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Omaha
14.2%
Omaha +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 37.5% | Omaha + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 10.2% | Omaha + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 15.2% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 12.0% | Omaha + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 20.0% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.2% | Omaha + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Omaha
51.1°F
Omaha +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 51.1°F | Omaha + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 30.6 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Omaha
75.0%
Omaha +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Omaha + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 21.1 min | Omaha + |
Which City is Right for You?
Omaha leads in median household income at $72,708, 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 294 in Omaha. Omaha has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Omaha has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Omaha scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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