Jackson MS vs Tallahassee FL — 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Tallahassee
199,696
Tallahassee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Tallahassee
8.0%
Tallahassee +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Tallahassee
50.7%
Tallahassee +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Tallahassee
35.7%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Tallahassee
4.0%
Tallahassee +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Tallahassee
8.6%
Tallahassee +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 199,696 | Tallahassee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 8.0% | Tallahassee + |
| White | 14.5% | 50.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Black | 81.8% | 35.7% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 4.0% | Tallahassee + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 8.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Tallahassee
$55,931
Tallahassee +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Tallahassee
$35,704
Tallahassee +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Tallahassee
$65,328
Tallahassee +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Tallahassee
6.5%
Tallahassee +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Tallahassee
23.2%
Tallahassee +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $55,931 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $35,704 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $65,328 | Tallahassee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 6.5% | Tallahassee + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 23.2% | Tallahassee + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 51.0% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Tallahassee
$293,664
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Jackson +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $293,664 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 39.5% | Jackson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Tallahassee
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 324 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1453 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Tallahassee
34.1%
Tallahassee +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
Tallahassee
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Jackson +
Tallahassee
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Tallahassee
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 34.1% | Tallahassee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 9.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 20.3% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 13.2% | Jackson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.7% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 12.2% | Tallahassee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Jackson +
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Jackson +
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 67.6°F | Jackson + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 58.1 in | Jackson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tallahassee + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 20.3 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tallahassee leads in median household income at $55,931, 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 324 in Tallahassee. Tallahassee has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tallahassee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.1%.
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