Jackson MS vs Wilmington DE — 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%
Wilmington, DE
Delaware · Population: 71,124
- Median HH Income$55,269
- Median Home Price$327,117
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Wilmington
37.0
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Wilmington
8.3%
Wilmington +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Wilmington
52.3%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Wilmington
1.6%
Wilmington +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Wilmington
11.8%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 71,124 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 37.0 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 8.3% | Wilmington + |
| White | 14.5% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Black | 81.8% | 52.3% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 1.6% | Wilmington + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 11.8% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Wilmington
$55,269
Wilmington +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Wilmington
$38,786
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Wilmington
$64,087
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Wilmington
7.6%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Wilmington
23.2%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Wilmington
33.1%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $55,269 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $38,786 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $64,087 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 7.6% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 23.2% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 33.1% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Wilmington
$327,117
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Jackson +
Wilmington
46.0%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $327,117 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 46.0% | Jackson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Wilmington
394
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Wilmington
1991
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 394 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1991 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Wilmington
41.0%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Wilmington
16.0%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
Wilmington
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Wilmington
12.7%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Wilmington
13.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Wilmington
16.4%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 41.0% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 16.0% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.4% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 12.7% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.5% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.4% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Wilmington
54.4°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Wilmington
49.3 in
Wilmington +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 54.4°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 49.3 in | Wilmington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Wilmington
25.0 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 25.0 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wilmington leads in median household income at $55,269, 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 394 in Wilmington. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.0%.
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