Jackson MS vs Schenectady NY — 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%
Schenectady, NY
New York · Population: 28,542
- Median HH Income$100,485
- Median Home Price$321,835
- Unemployment2.3%
- Bachelor's+58.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Schenectady
6.8%
Schenectady +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Schenectady
3.0%
Schenectady +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Schenectady
4.7%
Schenectady +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 28,542 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 42.3 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 6.8% | Schenectady + |
| White | 14.5% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 81.8% | 3.1% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 3.0% | Schenectady + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 4.7% | Schenectady + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Schenectady
$321,835
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $321,835 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Schenectady
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 434 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1736 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Schenectady
38.6%
Schenectady +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Schenectady
12.3%
Schenectady +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Schenectady
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Schenectady
16.9%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 38.6% | Schenectady + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 12.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 19.2% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.2% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.9% | Schenectady + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Schenectady, NY | 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
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Schenectady + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Schenectady + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Schenectady
26.2 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 26.2 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, 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 434 in Schenectady. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and Schenectady has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Schenectady scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.6%.
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