Jackson MS vs West Palm Beach FL — 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 Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Jackson
14.5%
West Palm Beach
44.0%
West Palm Beach +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
West Palm Beach
31.5%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
West Palm Beach
2.5%
West Palm Beach +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 119,508 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 40.2 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 14.5% | 44.0% | West Palm Beach + |
| Black | 81.8% | 31.5% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 2.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 24.6% | West Palm Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
West Palm Beach
$69,261
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
West Palm Beach
$65,328
West Palm Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
West Palm Beach
5.4%
West Palm Beach +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
West Palm Beach
14.8%
West Palm Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $69,261 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $65,328 | West Palm Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 5.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 14.8% | West Palm Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 37.6% | West Palm Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
West Palm Beach
$399,650
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
West Palm Beach
50.2%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $399,650 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 50.2% | West Palm Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
West Palm Beach
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 324 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
West Palm Beach
13.7%
West Palm Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Jackson +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
West Palm Beach
13.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
West Palm Beach
13.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 29.1% | West Palm Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 13.7% | West Palm Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 16.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 16.9% | Jackson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.3% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 13.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Jackson +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Jackson +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Jackson, MS | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 75.4°F | Jackson + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 62.3 in | Jackson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 25.0 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Palm Beach leads in median household income at $69,261, 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 324 in West Palm Beach. West Palm Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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