Jackson MS vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Waco
20.4%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Waco
2.0%
Waco +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 141,925 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 14.5% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 81.8% | 20.4% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 2.0% | Waco + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Waco
$51,468
Waco +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Waco
$28,819
Waco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Waco
24.0%
Waco +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $51,468 | Waco + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $28,819 | Waco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 24.0% | Waco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Waco
$196,465
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Waco
48.9%
Waco +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $196,465 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 48.9% | Waco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 442 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 2339 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Waco
13.0%
Waco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Jackson +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Waco
15.1%
Waco +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 36.8% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 13.0% | Waco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 20.4% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 20.4% | Jackson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.2% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.1% | Waco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Jackson +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 66.6°F | Jackson + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Waco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Waco
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Waco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waco leads in median household income at $51,468, 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 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Waco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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