Jackson MS vs South Bend IN — 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%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
South Bend
8.9%
South Bend +
White
Jackson
14.5%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
South Bend
24.4%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
South Bend
1.7%
South Bend +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 102,866 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 8.9% | South Bend + |
| White | 14.5% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 81.8% | 24.4% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 1.7% | South Bend + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
South Bend
$52,512
South Bend +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
South Bend
$29,511
South Bend +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
South Bend
$58,697
South Bend +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
South Bend
22.6%
South Bend +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
South Bend
29.4%
South Bend +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $52,512 | South Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $29,511 | South Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $58,697 | South Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 6.0% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 22.6% | South Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 29.4% | South Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
South Bend
$194,972
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $194,972 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
South Bend
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 370 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
South Bend
39.7%
South Bend +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
South Bend
15.2%
South Bend +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
South Bend
12.6%
South Bend +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
South Bend
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Jackson +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 39.7% | South Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 15.2% | South Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 20.3% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 12.6% | South Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.3% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 18.2% | Jackson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 38.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Jackson +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
South Bend
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jackson, MS | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Jackson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
South Bend leads in median household income at $52,512, 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 370 in South Bend. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Jackson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, South Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
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