Jackson MS vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Phoenix
34.8
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 34.8 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 14.5% | 53.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 81.8% | 7.8% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 3.9% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Phoenix
$59,120
Phoenix +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $59,120 | Phoenix + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 5.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $411,323 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Phoenix
2150
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 450 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 2150 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Jackson +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 17.3% | Jackson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.3% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Jackson +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 72.1°F | Jackson + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Phoenix + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 27.7 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, 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 450 in Phoenix. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
Compare More Cities
Jackson, MS vs New York, NYJackson, MS vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Jackson, MSHouston, TX vs Jackson, MSJackson, MS vs Philadelphia, PAJackson, MS vs San Antonio, TX