Jackson MS vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Washington
34.9
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Washington
39.1%
Washington +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Washington
43.3%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 34.9 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 14.5% | 39.1% | Washington + |
| Black | 81.8% | 43.3% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Washington
6.5%
Washington +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 6.5% | Washington + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Jackson +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $580,173 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 41.1% | Jackson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 398 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1999 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 24.0% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Washington, DC | 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
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Washington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Washington
75.0%
Washington +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Washington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Washington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 32.8 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, 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 398 in Washington. Washington has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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