Jackson MS vs Winston-Salem NC — 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Winston-Salem
5.7%
Winston-Salem +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Winston-Salem +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Winston-Salem +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 118,578 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 37.5 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 5.7% | Winston-Salem + |
| White | 14.5% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 81.8% | 14.9% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 1.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 8.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Winston-Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Winston-Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $63,900 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $59,120 | Winston-Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 16.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Jackson +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $265,013 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 46.8% | Jackson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Winston-Salem
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Winston-Salem
1999
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Winston-Salem, NC | 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%
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Winston-Salem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Winston-Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 42.7% | Winston-Salem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 13.1% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 12.8% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.4% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Winston-Salem, NC | 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
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Winston-Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Winston-Salem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Winston-Salem leads in median household income at $63,900, 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 Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Winston-Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Winston-Salem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.7%.
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