Jackson MS vs Ontario CA — 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%
Ontario, CA
California · Population: 138,723
- Median HH Income$116,945
- Median Home Price$671,948
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Ontario
138,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Ontario
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Ontario
36.9
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Ontario
21.0%
Ontario +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Ontario
53.6%
Ontario +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Ontario
1.6%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Ontario
13.1%
Ontario +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Ontario
40.0%
Ontario +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Ontario
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 138,723 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 36.9 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 21.0% | Ontario + |
| White | 14.5% | 53.6% | Ontario + |
| Black | 81.8% | 1.6% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 13.1% | Ontario + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 40.0% | Ontario + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Ontario
$116,945
Ontario +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Ontario
$50,759
Ontario +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Ontario
$77,230
Ontario +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Ontario
4.7%
Ontario +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Ontario
9.2%
Ontario +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Ontario
40.1%
Ontario +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $116,945 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $50,759 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $77,230 | Ontario + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 4.7% | Ontario + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 9.2% | Ontario + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 40.1% | Ontario + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Ontario
$671,948
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Ontario
58.1%
Ontario +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $671,948 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 58.1% | Ontario + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Ontario
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Ontario
2388
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 503 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 2388 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Ontario
33.6%
Ontario +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Ontario
17.8%
Ontario +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Jackson +
Ontario
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Ontario
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 33.6% | Ontario + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 12.0% | Ontario + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 17.8% | Ontario + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 17.0% | Jackson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.7% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 12.0% | Ontario + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Jackson +
Ontario
65.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Ontario
15.0 in
Ontario +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 65.5°F | Jackson + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 15.0 in | Ontario + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Ontario +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Ontario
75.0%
Ontario +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Ontario + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Ontario + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Ontario
28.2 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 28.2 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Ontario leads in median household income at $116,945, 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 503 in Ontario. Ontario has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Ontario has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Ontario scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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