Jackson MS vs Richmond VA — 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%
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Richmond
8.6%
Richmond +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Richmond
43.2%
Richmond +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Richmond
42.0%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Richmond
2.1%
Richmond +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Richmond
10.3%
Richmond +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 227,595 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 34.5 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 8.6% | Richmond + |
| White | 14.5% | 43.2% | Richmond + |
| Black | 81.8% | 42.0% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 2.1% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 10.3% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Richmond
$62,671
Richmond +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Richmond
6.0%
Richmond +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $62,671 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $44,249 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $69,581 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 6.0% | Richmond + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 18.8% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 44.1% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Richmond
$374,265
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Jackson +
Richmond
43.5%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $374,265 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 43.5% | Jackson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1726 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Richmond
36.7%
Richmond +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Richmond
12.3%
Richmond +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
Richmond
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Richmond
10.7%
Richmond +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Richmond
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Richmond
13.9%
Richmond +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 36.7% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 12.3% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.8% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 10.7% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.2% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 13.9% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Richmond
58.9°F
Richmond +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Richmond
43.6 in
Richmond +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 58.9°F | Richmond + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 43.6 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Richmond +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Richmond + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Richmond
23.6 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 23.6 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $62,671, while jackson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $88,100. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 247 in Jackson. Richmond has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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