Jackson MS vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Virginia Beach
9.1%
Virginia Beach +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Virginia Beach +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 37.4 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 9.1% | Virginia Beach + |
| White | 14.5% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 81.8% | 18.9% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 8.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $427,121 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Virginia Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 36.5% | Virginia Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 11.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.6% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Virginia Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 25.0 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while jackson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $88,100. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 247 in Jackson. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Virginia Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.5%.
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