Jackson MS vs Visalia CA — 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%
Visalia, CA
California · Population: 135,983
- Median HH Income$70,663
- Median Home Price$397,983
- Unemployment11.6%
- Bachelor's+12.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Visalia
135,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Visalia
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Visalia
32.0
Visalia +
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Visalia
20.1%
Visalia +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Visalia
36.5%
Visalia +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Visalia
17.1%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Visalia
4.4%
Visalia +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Visalia
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 135,983 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 32.0 | Visalia + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 20.1% | Visalia + |
| White | 14.5% | 36.5% | Visalia + |
| Black | 81.8% | 17.1% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 4.4% | Visalia + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 55.3% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Visalia
$70,663
Visalia +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Visalia
$26,955
Visalia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Visalia
$77,230
Visalia +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Jackson +
Visalia
11.6%
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Visalia
20.0%
Visalia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Jackson +
Visalia
12.4%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $70,663 | Visalia + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $26,955 | Visalia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $77,230 | Visalia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 11.6% | Jackson + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 20.0% | Visalia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 12.4% | Jackson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Visalia
$397,983
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Visalia
58.5%
Visalia +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $397,983 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 58.5% | Visalia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Visalia
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Visalia
2388
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 503 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 2388 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Visalia
32.2%
Visalia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Visalia
11.2%
Visalia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Visalia
17.9%
Visalia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Jackson +
Visalia
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Visalia
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Visalia
12.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 32.2% | Visalia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 11.2% | Visalia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 17.9% | Visalia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 13.0% | Jackson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.8% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 12.0% | Visalia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Visalia
63.3°F
Visalia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Visalia
10.9 in
Visalia +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 63.3°F | Visalia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 10.9 in | Visalia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Visalia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Visalia
75.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Visalia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Visalia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Visalia
41.6 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 41.6 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Visalia leads in median household income at $70,663, 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 503 in Visalia. Jackson has a lower unemployment rate at 9.4%, and Visalia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Visalia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.2%.
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