Jackson MS vs Santa Ana 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%
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Santa Ana
16.4%
Santa Ana +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 91,535 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 42.9 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 14.5% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 81.8% | 4.9% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 16.4% | Santa Ana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Santa Ana
6.1%
Santa Ana +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 6.1% | Santa Ana + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Jackson +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $865,610 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 28.8% | Jackson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Santa Ana, 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%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Santa Ana
13.0%
Santa Ana +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Jackson +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Santa Ana
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 13.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.7% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 20.7% | Jackson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.7% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Jackson +
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 65.6°F | Jackson + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Ana + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 28.0 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, 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 Santa Ana. Santa Ana has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Santa Ana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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