Jackson MS vs West Covina 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%
West Covina, CA
California · Population: 107,436
- Median HH Income$98,570
- Median Home Price$851,613
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+29.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
West Covina
107,436
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
West Covina
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
West Covina
40.1
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
West Covina
36.7%
West Covina +
White
Jackson
14.5%
West Covina
20.0%
West Covina +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
West Covina
4.1%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
West Covina
30.6%
West Covina +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
West Covina
53.2%
West Covina +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 107,436 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 40.1 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 36.7% | West Covina + |
| White | 14.5% | 20.0% | West Covina + |
| Black | 81.8% | 4.1% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 30.6% | West Covina + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 53.2% | West Covina + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
West Covina
$98,570
West Covina +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
West Covina
$38,100
West Covina +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
West Covina
$77,230
West Covina +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
West Covina
6.2%
West Covina +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
West Covina
9.7%
West Covina +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
West Covina
29.8%
West Covina +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $98,570 | West Covina + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $38,100 | West Covina + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $77,230 | West Covina + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 6.2% | West Covina + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 9.7% | West Covina + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 29.8% | West Covina + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
West Covina
$851,613
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
West Covina
60.8%
West Covina +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $851,613 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 60.8% | West Covina + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
West Covina
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
West Covina
2388
| Metric | Jackson, MS | West Covina, 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%
West Covina
23.5%
West Covina +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
West Covina
12.8%
West Covina +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
West Covina
14.7%
West Covina +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
West Covina
11.4%
West Covina +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
West Covina
13.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
West Covina
9.6%
West Covina +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 23.5% | West Covina + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 12.8% | West Covina + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 14.7% | West Covina + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 11.4% | West Covina + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.7% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 9.6% | West Covina + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
West Covina
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | West Covina, CA | 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
West Covina
7.9 µg/m³
West Covina +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
West Covina
75.0%
West Covina +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | West Covina + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | West Covina + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
West Covina
36.1 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 36.1 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Covina leads in median household income at $98,570, 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 West Covina. West Covina has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and West Covina has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Covina scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.5%.
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