Jackson MS vs Orem UT — 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%
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Orem
86,973
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Orem
33.3
Orem +
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Orem
10.5%
Orem +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Orem
1.9%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Orem
1.6%
Orem +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Orem
30.6%
Orem +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 86,973 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 33.3 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 10.5% | Orem + |
| White | 14.5% | 77.1% | Orem + |
| Black | 81.8% | 1.9% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 1.6% | Orem + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 30.6% | Orem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Orem
$70,053
Orem +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Orem
$33,579
Orem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Orem
$60,713
Orem +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Orem
12.7%
Orem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Jackson +
Orem
25.6%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $70,053 | Orem + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $33,579 | Orem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $60,713 | Orem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 4.0% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 12.7% | Orem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 25.6% | Jackson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Orem
$509,396
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Orem
60.9%
Orem +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $509,396 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 60.9% | Orem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Orem
245
Orem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Orem
1931
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 245 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1931 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Orem
30.3%
Orem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Orem
17.1%
Orem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Orem
11.5%
Orem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 30.3% | Orem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 7.7% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 17.1% | Orem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 11.5% | Orem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 6.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Orem
52.5°F
Orem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Orem
13.3 in
Orem +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 52.5°F | Orem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 13.3 in | Orem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Orem
75.0%
Orem +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Orem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Orem
24.5 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 24.5 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Orem leads in median household income at $70,053, while jackson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $88,100. On public safety, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 247 in Jackson. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Orem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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