Jackson MS vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 37.3 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 14.5% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 81.8% | 10.5% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $496,966 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Tacoma
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 383 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 3409 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Tacoma
37.3%
Tacoma +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 37.3% | Tacoma + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.7% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.8% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Tacoma
39.2 in
Tacoma +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 39.2 in | Tacoma + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tacoma + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 31.1 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, 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 383 in Tacoma. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tacoma scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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