Jackson MS vs Pittsburgh 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Pittsburgh +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Pittsburgh +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 9.3% | Pittsburgh + |
| White | 14.5% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 81.8% | 22.5% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 4.2% | Pittsburgh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Pittsburgh +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Pittsburgh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $64,137 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $65,080 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 5.9% | Pittsburgh + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 19.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Jackson +
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $240,538 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 47.2% | Jackson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Pittsburgh
319
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 319 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 51.8°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 39.3 in | Pittsburgh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Pittsburgh +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Pittsburgh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 25.0 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pittsburgh leads in median household income at $64,137, 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 Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Pittsburgh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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