Jackson MS vs Peoria IL — 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%
Peoria, IL
Illinois · Population: 11,626
- Median HH Income$83,102
- Median Home Price$132,671
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+27.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Peoria
11,626
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Peoria
12.6%
Peoria +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Peoria
59.6%
Peoria +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Peoria
4.7%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Peoria
1.6%
Peoria +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 11,626 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 33.1 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 12.6% | Peoria + |
| White | 14.5% | 59.6% | Peoria + |
| Black | 81.8% | 4.7% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 1.6% | Peoria + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 37.0% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Peoria
$33,805
Peoria +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Peoria
$68,110
Peoria +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Peoria
4.8%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Jackson +
Peoria
27.6%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $83,102 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $33,805 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $68,110 | Peoria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 4.8% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 8.2% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 27.6% | Jackson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Peoria
$132,671
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $132,671 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 73.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Peoria
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Peoria
1842
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 344 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1842 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Peoria
36.2%
Peoria +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Peoria
13.5%
Peoria +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Peoria
17.8%
Peoria +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Peoria
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Peoria
15.1%
Peoria +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 36.2% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 13.5% | Peoria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 17.8% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 9.3% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.2% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.1% | Peoria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Peoria
38.0 in
Peoria +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 38.0 in | Peoria + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Peoria +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Peoria
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Peoria + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Peoria
34.4 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 34.4 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Peoria leads in median household income at $83,102, 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 344 in Peoria. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Peoria has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Peoria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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