Jackson MS vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Portland
9.0%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Portland
3.2%
Portland +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Portland
3.1%
Portland +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 68,505 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 37.5 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 11.1% | Portland + |
| White | 14.5% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 81.8% | 9.0% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 3.2% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 3.1% | Portland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Portland
$61,587
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $61,587 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Jackson +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $561,069 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 46.7% | Jackson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Portland
17.8%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 17.8% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 18.3% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Portland
47.3 in
Portland +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 47.3 in | Portland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Portland
75.0%
Portland +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Portland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while jackson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $88,100. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 247 in Jackson. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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