Jackson MS vs Saint Paul 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%
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Saint Paul
16.2%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Saint Paul
9.1%
Saint Paul +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 307,762 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 33.5 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 18.7% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 14.5% | 53.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Black | 81.8% | 16.2% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 17.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 9.1% | Saint Paul + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Saint Paul
$73,055
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Saint Paul
$41,594
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Saint Paul
$69,467
Saint Paul +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Saint Paul
4.9%
Saint Paul +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Saint Paul
15.8%
Saint Paul +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Saint Paul
43.5%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $73,055 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $41,594 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $69,467 | Saint Paul + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 4.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 15.8% | Saint Paul + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 43.5% | Saint Paul + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Saint Paul
$297,021
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $297,021 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 53.2% | Saint Paul + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Saint Paul
284
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Saint Paul
1992
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Saint Paul, 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%
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Saint Paul +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Saint Paul + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Saint Paul + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Saint Paul
24.1 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 24.1 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Saint Paul leads in median household income at $73,055, 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 Saint Paul. Saint Paul has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Saint Paul has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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