Jackson MS vs Salinas CA — 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Salinas
21.8%
Salinas +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 14.5% | 21.8% | Salinas + |
| Black | 81.8% | 1.4% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Salinas
$28,813
Salinas +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Jackson +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $28,813 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 14.2% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 15.5% | Jackson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Jackson +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $751,711 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 47.0% | Jackson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 503 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 2388 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Salinas
12.4%
Salinas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Salinas
18.2%
Salinas +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Jackson +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 12.4% | Salinas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.2% | Salinas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 22.4% | Jackson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.8% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 12.9% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Salinas
57.3°F
Salinas +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 57.3°F | Salinas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Salinas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 28.8 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, 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 503 in Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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