Jackson MS vs St. Louis 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%
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
St. Louis
36.6
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
St. Louis
6.6%
St. Louis +
White
Jackson
14.5%
St. Louis
45.7%
St. Louis +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
St. Louis
43.1%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
St. Louis
3.4%
St. Louis +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 293,109 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 36.6 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 6.6% | St. Louis + |
| White | 14.5% | 45.7% | St. Louis + |
| Black | 81.8% | 43.1% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 3.4% | St. Louis + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 5.1% | St. Louis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
St. Louis
$55,279
St. Louis +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
St. Louis
$58,527
St. Louis +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
St. Louis
19.8%
St. Louis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $55,279 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $38,947 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $58,527 | St. Louis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 5.1% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 19.8% | St. Louis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 40.2% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
St. Louis
$185,100
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Jackson +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $185,100 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 45.4% | Jackson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
St. Louis
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Jackson, MS | St. Louis, 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%
St. Louis
36.8%
St. Louis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
St. Louis
13.2%
St. Louis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
St. Louis
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
St. Louis
16.8%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 36.8% | St. Louis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 13.2% | St. Louis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.8% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 17.9% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.8% | St. Louis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
St. Louis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
St. Louis
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jackson, MS | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | St. Louis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
St. Louis
24.0 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 24.0 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Louis leads in median household income at $55,279, 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 St. Louis. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and St. Louis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Louis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
Compare More Cities
Jackson, MS vs New York, NYJackson, MS vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Jackson, MSHouston, TX vs Jackson, MSJackson, MS vs Phoenix, AZJackson, MS vs Philadelphia, PA