Jackson MS vs Sparks NV — 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%
Sparks, NV
Nevada · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$530,668
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Sparks
N/A
White
Jackson
14.5%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | N/A | - |
| White | 14.5% | N/A | - |
| Black | 81.8% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 0.3% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Sparks
$62,696
Sparks +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $62,696 | Sparks + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Sparks
$530,668
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $530,668 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Sparks
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 460 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 2417 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Sparks
28.6%
Sparks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Sparks
9.8%
Sparks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Sparks
18.1%
Sparks +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Jackson +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Sparks
12.9%
Sparks +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 28.6% | Sparks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 9.8% | Sparks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.1% | Sparks + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 13.8% | Jackson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 18.7% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 12.9% | Sparks + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Sparks
52.4°F
Sparks +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 52.4°F | Sparks + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Sparks +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sparks + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
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 460 in Sparks. Sparks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sparks scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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