Jackson MS vs Scottsdale AZ — 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%
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Scottsdale
11.2%
Scottsdale +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 242,169 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 49.2 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 11.2% | Scottsdale + |
| White | 14.5% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 81.8% | 2.0% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 5.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Scottsdale
$59,120
Scottsdale +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $59,120 | Scottsdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $858,307 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Scottsdale
2150
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 450 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 2150 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Scottsdale
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.4% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Jackson +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 72.5°F | Jackson + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Scottsdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Scottsdale
23.2 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 23.2 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, 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 450 in Scottsdale. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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