Jackson MS vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Providence
40.7%
Providence +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Providence
13.3%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 190,214 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 14.5% | 40.7% | Providence + |
| Black | 81.8% | 13.3% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Providence
7.4%
Providence +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Providence
20.1%
Providence +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $66,772 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $36,694 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $64,538 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 7.4% | Providence + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 20.1% | Providence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 34.7% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Jackson +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $429,449 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 41.2% | Jackson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Jackson +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Providence
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 34.4% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 11.5% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 19.6% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 14.6% | Jackson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.7% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Providence
75.0%
Providence +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Providence + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 27.4 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while jackson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $88,100. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 247 in Jackson. Providence has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Providence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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