Jackson MS vs Stockton CA — 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%
Stockton, CA
California · Population: 320,470
- Median HH Income$76,851
- Median Home Price$431,297
- Unemployment8.0%
- Bachelor's+19.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Stockton
320,470
Stockton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Stockton
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Stockton
33.7
Stockton +
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Stockton
25.9%
Stockton +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Stockton
26.6%
Stockton +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Stockton
11.6%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Stockton
21.1%
Stockton +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Stockton
45.2%
Stockton +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Stockton
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 320,470 | Stockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 33.7 | Stockton + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 25.9% | Stockton + |
| White | 14.5% | 26.6% | Stockton + |
| Black | 81.8% | 11.6% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 21.1% | Stockton + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 45.2% | Stockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Stockton
$76,851
Stockton +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Stockton
$31,279
Stockton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Stockton
$77,230
Stockton +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Stockton
8.0%
Stockton +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Stockton
15.4%
Stockton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Jackson +
Stockton
19.1%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $76,851 | Stockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $31,279 | Stockton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $77,230 | Stockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 8.0% | Stockton + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 15.4% | Stockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 19.1% | Jackson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Stockton
$431,297
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Stockton
53.2%
Stockton +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $431,297 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 53.2% | Stockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Stockton
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Stockton
2388
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 503 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 2388 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Stockton
31.8%
Stockton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Stockton
13.5%
Stockton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Stockton
18.1%
Stockton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Jackson +
Stockton
15.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Stockton
13.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Stockton
13.8%
Stockton +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 31.8% | Stockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 13.5% | Stockton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.1% | Stockton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 15.0% | Jackson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.3% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 13.8% | Stockton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Stockton
62.2°F
Stockton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Stockton
17.8 in
Stockton +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 62.2°F | Stockton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 17.8 in | Stockton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Stockton
7.9 µg/m³
Stockton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Stockton
75.0%
Stockton +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Stockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Stockton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Stockton
33.2 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 33.2 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stockton leads in median household income at $76,851, 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 503 in Stockton. Stockton has a lower unemployment rate at 8.0%, and Stockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stockton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
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