Jackson MS vs Sterling Heights MI — 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%
Sterling Heights, MI
Michigan · Population: 133,473
- Median HH Income$78,429
- Median Home Price$309,742
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+31.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Sterling Heights +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 133,473 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 41.5 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 14.5% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 81.8% | 6.6% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 2.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Sterling Heights +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Sterling Heights +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $58,052 | Sterling Heights + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 6.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $309,742 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 471 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 36.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.4% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.3% | Sterling Heights + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Sterling Heights, MI | 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
Jackson +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Jackson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 27.5 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, 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 471 in Sterling Heights. Sterling Heights has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Jackson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sterling Heights scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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