Jackson MS vs Provo UT — 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%
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Provo
114,303
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Provo
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Provo
12.2%
Provo +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Provo
1.1%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Provo
2.2%
Provo +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Provo
18.9%
Provo +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Provo
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 114,303 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 23.7 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 12.2% | Provo + |
| White | 14.5% | 78.6% | Provo + |
| Black | 81.8% | 1.1% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 2.2% | Provo + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 18.9% | Provo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Provo
$62,800
Provo +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Jackson +
Provo
$26,755
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Provo
$60,713
Provo +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Provo
4.7%
Provo +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Provo
22.3%
Provo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $62,800 | Provo + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $26,755 | Jackson + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $60,713 | Provo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 4.7% | Provo + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 22.3% | Provo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 45.0% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Provo
$486,127
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Jackson +
Provo
39.9%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $486,127 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 39.9% | Jackson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Provo
245
Provo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Provo
1931
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 245 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1931 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Provo
30.7%
Provo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
Provo
21.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Provo
12.6%
Provo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 30.7% | Provo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 6.1% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 21.5% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 12.6% | Provo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 8.7% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 7.0% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Provo
53.4°F
Provo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Provo
19.8 in
Provo +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 53.4°F | Provo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 19.8 in | Provo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Provo
75.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Provo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 20.1 min | Provo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Provo leads in median household income at $62,800, while jackson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $88,100. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 247 in Jackson. Provo has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Provo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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