Jackson MS vs Wichita Falls 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%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Wichita Falls
102,558
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Wichita Falls
33.0
Wichita Falls +
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Wichita Falls
7.2%
Wichita Falls +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Wichita Falls +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Wichita Falls +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Wichita Falls +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 102,558 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 33.0 | Wichita Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 7.2% | Wichita Falls + |
| White | 14.5% | 70.1% | Wichita Falls + |
| Black | 81.8% | 12.9% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 2.7% | Wichita Falls + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 22.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Wichita Falls +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Wichita Falls +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Wichita Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Wichita Falls +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Jackson +
Wichita Falls
25.0%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $58,568 | Wichita Falls + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $31,987 | Wichita Falls + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $63,758 | Wichita Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 17.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 25.0% | Jackson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Wichita Falls
57.0%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $174,763 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 57.0% | Wichita Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Wichita Falls
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Wichita Falls
2339
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Wichita Falls, 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%
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Wichita Falls +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Wichita Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
Wichita Falls
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Jackson +
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Wichita Falls
14.9%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 35.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 12.6% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.8% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 16.9% | Jackson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 17.8% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.9% | Wichita Falls + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Wichita Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 63.4°F | Wichita Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 28.9 in | Wichita Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Wichita Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Wichita Falls
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Wichita Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wichita Falls leads in median household income at $58,568, 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 Wichita Falls. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Wichita Falls has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wichita Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
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