Jackson MS vs Tulsa OK — 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%
Tulsa, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 412,322
- Median HH Income$58,407
- Median Home Price$220,279
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+33.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Tulsa
35.5
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Tulsa
11.9%
Tulsa +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Tulsa
57.0%
Tulsa +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Tulsa
14.2%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Tulsa
3.5%
Tulsa +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 35.5 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 11.9% | Tulsa + |
| White | 14.5% | 57.0% | Tulsa + |
| Black | 81.8% | 14.2% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 3.5% | Tulsa + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 19.2% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Tulsa
$58,407
Tulsa +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Tulsa
$37,533
Tulsa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Tulsa
$57,929
Tulsa +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Tulsa
6.1%
Tulsa +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Tulsa
18.6%
Tulsa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Tulsa
33.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $58,407 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $37,533 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $57,929 | Tulsa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 6.1% | Tulsa + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 18.6% | Tulsa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 33.3% | Tulsa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Tulsa
$220,279
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Tulsa
52.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $220,279 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 52.0% | Tulsa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Tulsa
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 429 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 2375 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Tulsa
37.5%
Tulsa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Tulsa
12.8%
Tulsa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
Tulsa
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Jackson +
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Tulsa
12.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Tulsa
16.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 37.5% | Tulsa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 12.8% | Tulsa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.8% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 14.4% | Jackson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.9% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.3% | Tulsa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Tulsa
60.8°F
Tulsa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Tulsa
41.0 in
Tulsa +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 60.8°F | Tulsa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 41.0 in | Tulsa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tulsa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tulsa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tulsa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tulsa leads in median household income at $58,407, 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 429 in Tulsa. Tulsa has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Tulsa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tulsa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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