Jackson MS vs San Marcos TX — 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%
San Marcos, TX
Texas · Population: 99,507
- Median HH Income$64,146
- Median Home Price$313,452
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
San Marcos
35.2
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
San Marcos
5.8%
San Marcos +
White
Jackson
14.5%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
San Marcos
1.4%
San Marcos +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 99,507 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 35.2 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 5.8% | San Marcos + |
| White | 14.5% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 81.8% | 4.3% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 1.4% | San Marcos + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
San Marcos
$64,146
San Marcos +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
San Marcos
$33,835
San Marcos +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
San Marcos
$63,758
San Marcos +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Jackson +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $64,146 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $33,835 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $63,758 | San Marcos + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 24.9% | Jackson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
San Marcos
$313,452
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $313,452 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
San Marcos
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
San Marcos
2339
| Metric | Jackson, MS | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 442 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 2339 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Jackson +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 33.6% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 22.3% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 19.7% | Jackson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 19.7% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Jackson +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 68.5°F | Jackson + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 35.7 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
San Marcos +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
San Marcos
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jackson, MS | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | San Marcos + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Marcos leads in median household income at $64,146, 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 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and San Marcos has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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