Jackson MS vs Rochester MN — 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Rochester
3.9%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 26,509 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 38.7 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| White | 14.5% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 81.8% | 3.6% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 5.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 3.9% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Rochester
$344,633
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $344,633 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Rochester
284
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Rochester
1992
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 284 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1992 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Rochester
36.4%
Rochester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Rochester
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 36.4% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.0% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Rochester
34.0 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 34.0 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 28.3 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, 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 284 in Rochester. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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