Jackson MS vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Tucson
3.1%
Tucson +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 14.5% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 81.8% | 5.0% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 3.1% | Tucson + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Tucson
$54,546
Tucson +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Tucson
$31,152
Tucson +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Tucson
$59,120
Tucson +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Tucson
6.4%
Tucson +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Tucson
18.8%
Tucson +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Tucson
30.2%
Tucson +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $54,546 | Tucson + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $31,152 | Tucson + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $59,120 | Tucson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 6.4% | Tucson + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 18.8% | Tucson + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 30.2% | Tucson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Tucson
$324,946
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Tucson
51.7%
Tucson +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $324,946 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 51.7% | Tucson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Tucson
2150
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Tucson, 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%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Tucson
18.3%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Jackson +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Tucson
14.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.3% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 15.7% | Jackson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.6% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Jackson +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 69.8°F | Jackson + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tucson +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tucson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Tucson
23.9 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 23.9 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tucson leads in median household income at $54,546, 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 Tucson. Tucson has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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