Jackson MS vs Utica NY — 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%
Utica, NY
New York · Population: 51,054
- Median HH Income$57,688
- Median Home Price$205,924
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+36.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Utica
51,054
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Utica
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Utica
33.0
Utica +
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Utica
9.7%
Utica +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Utica
64.8%
Utica +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Utica
16.9%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Utica
4.3%
Utica +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Utica
9.8%
Utica +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 51,054 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 33.0 | Utica + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 9.7% | Utica + |
| White | 14.5% | 64.8% | Utica + |
| Black | 81.8% | 16.9% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 4.3% | Utica + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 9.8% | Utica + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Utica
$57,688
Utica +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Utica
$35,780
Utica +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Utica
$77,425
Utica +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Utica
9.4%
Utica +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Utica
23.8%
Utica +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Utica
36.8%
Utica +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $57,688 | Utica + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $35,780 | Utica + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $77,425 | Utica + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 9.4% | Utica + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 23.8% | Utica + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 36.8% | Utica + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Utica
$205,924
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Jackson +
Utica
36.8%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $205,924 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 36.8% | Jackson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Utica
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Utica
1736
Utica +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 434 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1736 | Utica + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Utica
39.6%
Utica +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Utica
14.1%
Utica +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
Utica
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Utica
11.1%
Utica +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Utica
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Jackson +
Utica
18.7%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 39.6% | Utica + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 14.1% | Utica + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 19.4% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 11.1% | Utica + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.2% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 18.7% | Jackson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Utica
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Utica
8.1 µg/m³
Utica +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Utica
75.0%
Utica +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Utica + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Utica + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Utica
22.7 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 22.7 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Utica leads in median household income at $57,688, 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 434 in Utica. Utica has a lower unemployment rate at 9.4%, and Utica has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Utica scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.6%.
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