Jackson MS vs Springfield MO — 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%
Springfield, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Springfield
169,432
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Springfield
33.6
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Springfield
3.8%
Springfield +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Springfield
4.3%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Springfield
1.7%
Springfield +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Springfield
5.6%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 169,432 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 33.6 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 3.8% | Springfield + |
| White | 14.5% | 85.2% | Springfield + |
| Black | 81.8% | 4.3% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 1.7% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 5.6% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Springfield
$45,984
Springfield +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Springfield
$30,864
Springfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Springfield
$58,527
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Springfield
19.4%
Springfield +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Springfield
30.3%
Springfield +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $45,984 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $30,864 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $58,527 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 4.3% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 19.4% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 30.3% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Springfield
$245,279
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Jackson +
Springfield
42.9%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $245,279 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 42.9% | Jackson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Springfield
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Springfield
2418
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 501 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 2418 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Springfield
37.7%
Springfield +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Springfield
11.1%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
Springfield
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Springfield
10.0%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Springfield
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Springfield
17.1%
Springfield +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 37.7% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 11.1% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 20.0% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 10.0% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.6% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 17.1% | Springfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Springfield
56.3°F
Springfield +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Springfield
45.6 in
Springfield +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 56.3°F | Springfield + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 45.6 in | Springfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Springfield
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 19.5 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Springfield leads in median household income at $45,984, 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 501 in Springfield. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.7%.
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