Jackson MS vs Torrance 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%
Torrance, CA
California · Population: 95,358
- Median HH Income$118,253
- Median Home Price$1,128,110
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Torrance
95,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Torrance
35.2
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Torrance
34.8%
Torrance +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Torrance
6.1%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 95,358 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 35.2 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 28.7% | Torrance + |
| White | 14.5% | 34.8% | Torrance + |
| Black | 81.8% | 6.1% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 22.0% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 41.4% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Torrance
$42,884
Torrance +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Torrance
$77,230
Torrance +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Torrance
5.9%
Torrance +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Torrance
7.7%
Torrance +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Jackson +
Torrance
26.2%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $118,253 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $42,884 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $77,230 | Torrance + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 5.9% | Torrance + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 7.7% | Torrance + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 26.2% | Jackson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Torrance
$1,128,110
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Torrance
64.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $1,128,110 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 64.0% | Torrance + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Torrance
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Torrance
2388
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Torrance, 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%
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Torrance
10.6%
Torrance +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Torrance
14.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 20.3% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 10.6% | Torrance + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 13.3% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 5.2% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.0% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 8.0% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Torrance
62.6°F
Torrance +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Torrance
14.5 in
Torrance +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 62.6°F | Torrance + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 14.5 in | Torrance + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Torrance +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Torrance + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Torrance + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 44.9 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, 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 Torrance. Torrance has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Torrance has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Torrance scores better with a lower obesity rate of 20.3%.
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