Jackson MS vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Raleigh
34.7
Tie
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Raleigh
53.8%
Raleigh +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Raleigh
27.5%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Raleigh
12.7%
Raleigh +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 34.7 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 13.6% | Raleigh + |
| White | 14.5% | 53.8% | Raleigh + |
| Black | 81.8% | 27.5% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 4.7% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 12.7% | Raleigh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Raleigh
$59,120
Raleigh +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $59,120 | Raleigh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Raleigh
$435,807
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Raleigh
51.2%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $435,807 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 51.2% | Raleigh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Raleigh
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Raleigh
1999
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 398 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1999 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Raleigh
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 30.9% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 16.6% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 9.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.3% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Raleigh
61.1°F
Raleigh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Raleigh
46.2 in
Raleigh +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 61.1°F | Raleigh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 46.2 in | Raleigh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Raleigh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Raleigh + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Raleigh
25.1 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 25.1 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, 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 398 in Raleigh. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Raleigh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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