Jackson MS vs Savannah GA — 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%
Savannah, GA
Georgia · Population: 147,546
- Median HH Income$56,782
- Median Home Price$326,132
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+32.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Savannah
147,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Savannah
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Savannah
33.7
Savannah +
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Savannah
6.7%
Savannah +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Savannah
37.2%
Savannah +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Savannah
52.2%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Savannah
2.9%
Savannah +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Savannah
7.1%
Savannah +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Savannah
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 147,546 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 33.7 | Savannah + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 6.7% | Savannah + |
| White | 14.5% | 37.2% | Savannah + |
| Black | 81.8% | 52.2% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 2.9% | Savannah + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 7.1% | Savannah + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Savannah
$56,782
Savannah +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Savannah
$32,004
Savannah +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Savannah
$57,405
Savannah +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Savannah
6.7%
Savannah +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Savannah
19.5%
Savannah +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Savannah
32.0%
Savannah +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $56,782 | Savannah + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $32,004 | Savannah + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $57,405 | Savannah + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 6.7% | Savannah + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 19.5% | Savannah + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 32.0% | Savannah + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Savannah
$326,132
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Jackson +
Savannah
44.4%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $326,132 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 44.4% | Jackson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Savannah
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Savannah
1752
Savannah +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 392 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1752 | Savannah + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Savannah
34.5%
Savannah +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Savannah
13.6%
Savannah +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
Savannah
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Jackson +
Savannah
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Savannah
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Savannah
14.7%
Savannah +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 34.5% | Savannah + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 13.6% | Savannah + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.5% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 13.8% | Jackson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.6% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.7% | Savannah + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Jackson +
Savannah
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Savannah
48.0 in
Savannah +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 66.8°F | Jackson + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 48.0 in | Savannah + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Savannah
9.8 µg/m³
Savannah +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Savannah
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Savannah + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Savannah
22.2 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 22.2 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Savannah leads in median household income at $56,782, 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 392 in Savannah. Savannah has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Savannah has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Savannah scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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