Jackson MS vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Philadelphia
36.1%
Philadelphia +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Philadelphia
39.9%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 35.1 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 14.5% | 36.1% | Philadelphia + |
| Black | 81.8% | 39.9% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Philadelphia
8.4%
Philadelphia +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Philadelphia
22.0%
Philadelphia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $60,698 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 8.4% | Philadelphia + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 22.0% | Philadelphia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Philadelphia
$233,814
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $233,814 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 52.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Philadelphia
319
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 319 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 57.1°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 48.5 in | Philadelphia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Philadelphia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Philadelphia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 34.5 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, 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 319 in Philadelphia. Philadelphia has a lower unemployment rate at 8.4%, and Philadelphia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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