Jackson MS vs Sugar Land TX — 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%
Sugar Land, TX
Texas · Population: 109,735
- Median HH Income$137,511
- Median Home Price$449,058
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+62.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Sugar Land
40.6%
Sugar Land +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Sugar Land
7.7%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Sugar Land
12.3%
Sugar Land +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 109,735 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 42.5 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 14.5% | 40.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Black | 81.8% | 7.7% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 12.3% | Sugar Land + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Sugar Land
$63,758
Sugar Land +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $63,758 | Sugar Land + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 4.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Sugar Land
$449,058
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $449,058 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Sugar Land
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Sugar Land
2339
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 442 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 2339 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Sugar Land
13.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.6% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Jackson +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Sugar Land
50.4 in
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 71.3°F | Jackson + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 50.4 in | Sugar Land + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Sugar Land +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Sugar Land
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Sugar Land + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 31.6 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, 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 442 in Sugar Land. Sugar Land has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Sugar Land has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sugar Land scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.8%.
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