Jackson MS vs Pasadena TX — 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%
Pasadena, TX
Texas · Population: 125,983
- Median HH Income$112,470
- Median Home Price$218,978
- Unemployment3.1%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Pasadena
125,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Pasadena
36.5
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Pasadena
19.3%
Pasadena +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Pasadena
45.5%
Pasadena +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Pasadena
18.1%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Pasadena
25.4%
Pasadena +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 125,983 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 36.5 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 19.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 14.5% | 45.5% | Pasadena + |
| Black | 81.8% | 18.1% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 17.0% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 25.4% | Pasadena + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Pasadena
$63,758
Pasadena +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $112,470 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $49,845 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $63,758 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 3.1% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 47.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Pasadena
$218,978
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $218,978 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 76.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Pasadena
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Pasadena
2339
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 442 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 2339 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Pasadena
39.1%
Pasadena +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Pasadena
14.6%
Pasadena +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Pasadena
17.8%
Pasadena +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Jackson +
Pasadena
32.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Pasadena
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Pasadena
14.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 39.1% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 14.6% | Pasadena + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 17.8% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 32.1% | Jackson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 17.1% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.6% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Pasadena
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Pasadena, TX | 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
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Pasadena +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Pasadena
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Pasadena + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Pasadena
36.1 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 36.1 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $112,470, 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 442 in Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and Pasadena has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.1%.
Compare More Cities
Jackson, MS vs New York, NYJackson, MS vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Jackson, MSHouston, TX vs Jackson, MSJackson, MS vs Phoenix, AZJackson, MS vs Philadelphia, PA