Jackson MS vs Portland OR — 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, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 38.6 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 12.4% | Portland + |
| White | 14.5% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 81.8% | 5.8% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Portland
$63,691
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $63,691 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 5.5% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $538,687 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 52.8% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Portland
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 355 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 3001 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Portland
18.3%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.3% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 17.7% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Jackson +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 51.6°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 78.3 in | Jackson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Portland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 26.5 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, 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 355 in Portland. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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