Jackson MS vs Tuscaloosa AL — 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%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
Tuscaloosa +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Tuscaloosa +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 107,699 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 4.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
| White | 14.5% | 49.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Black | 81.8% | 42.8% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 2.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 5.2% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Tuscaloosa +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Tuscaloosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Tuscaloosa +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $48,536 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $31,324 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $51,690 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 7.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 23.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Jackson +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $231,461 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 45.1% | Jackson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Tuscaloosa
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 400 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Tuscaloosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 42.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 21.3% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 11.5% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.1% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Jackson +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Jackson +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 65.0°F | Jackson + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 55.0 in | Jackson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tuscaloosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tuscaloosa leads in median household income at $48,536, 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 400 in Tuscaloosa. Tuscaloosa has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and Tuscaloosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tuscaloosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.6%.
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