Jackson MS vs Roanoke 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Roanoke
7.5%
Roanoke +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Roanoke
29.0%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Roanoke
8.6%
Roanoke +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 98,677 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 38.0 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 7.5% | Roanoke + |
| White | 14.5% | 57.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 81.8% | 29.0% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 3.1% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 8.6% | Roanoke + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Roanoke
$52,671
Roanoke +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Roanoke
19.7%
Roanoke +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Roanoke
28.9%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $52,671 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $34,792 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 5.5% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 19.7% | Roanoke + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 28.9% | Roanoke + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Roanoke
$279,668
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $279,668 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 51.7% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Roanoke
41.9%
Roanoke +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Roanoke
14.9%
Roanoke +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Roanoke
14.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Roanoke
16.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 41.9% | Roanoke + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 14.9% | Roanoke + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.4% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 11.0% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.7% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.7% | Roanoke + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roanoke +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Roanoke
44.5 in
Roanoke +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 56.0°F | Roanoke + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 44.5 in | Roanoke + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Roanoke + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roanoke leads in median household income at $52,671, while jackson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $88,100. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 247 in Jackson. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Roanoke scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.9%.
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