Jackson MS vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 186,419 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 14.5% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 81.8% | 7.8% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Tempe
$59,120
Tempe +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Tempe
16.2%
Tempe +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $59,120 | Tempe + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 5.7% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 16.2% | Tempe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Jackson +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $468,328 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 41.6% | Jackson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 450 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 2150 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 18.3% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Jackson +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 71.3°F | Jackson + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tempe +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tempe + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Tempe
23.2 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 23.2 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, 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 450 in Tempe. Tempe has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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