Jackson MS vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Seattle
35.5
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Seattle
8.2%
Seattle +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 35.5 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 14.5% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 81.8% | 6.6% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 8.2% | Seattle + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Jackson +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $871,599 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 44.3% | Jackson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Seattle
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 383 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 3409 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 19.0% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Seattle
52.6°F
Seattle +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Seattle
37.5 in
Seattle +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 52.6°F | Seattle + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 37.5 in | Seattle + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Seattle +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Seattle + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 28.8 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, 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 383 in Seattle. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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