Jackson MS vs Vancouver WA — 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Vancouver
192,696
Vancouver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Vancouver
13.6%
Vancouver +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Vancouver
5.3%
Vancouver +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Vancouver
17.2%
Vancouver +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 192,696 | Vancouver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 37.5 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 13.6% | Vancouver + |
| White | 14.5% | 70.6% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 81.8% | 3.1% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 5.3% | Vancouver + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 17.2% | Vancouver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Vancouver
$78,156
Vancouver +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Vancouver
$42,839
Vancouver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Vancouver
$76,120
Vancouver +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Vancouver
5.6%
Vancouver +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Vancouver
31.5%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $78,156 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $42,839 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $76,120 | Vancouver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 5.6% | Vancouver + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 31.5% | Vancouver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Vancouver
49.9%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $510,577 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 49.9% | Vancouver + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Vancouver
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 383 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 3409 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Vancouver
36.2%
Vancouver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
Vancouver
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Vancouver
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 36.2% | Vancouver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 19.1% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 9.4% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.3% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 11.7% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Vancouver
52.1°F
Vancouver +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Vancouver
41.6 in
Vancouver +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 52.1°F | Vancouver + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 41.6 in | Vancouver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Vancouver + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Vancouver
25.1 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 25.1 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vancouver leads in median household income at $78,156, 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 383 in Vancouver. Vancouver has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Vancouver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vancouver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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