Jackson MS vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jackson
149,827
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 14.5% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 81.8% | 12.1% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Worcester
6.4%
Worcester +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Worcester
19.8%
Worcester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 6.4% | Worcester + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 19.8% | Worcester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Jackson +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $435,532 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 42.4% | Jackson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Worcester
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 326 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Worcester
14.5%
Worcester +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 19.9% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 17.1% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.5% | Worcester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Worcester
48.1 in
Worcester +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 48.1 in | Worcester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 27.3 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, 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 326 in Worcester. Worcester has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
Compare More Cities
Jackson, MS vs New York, NYJackson, MS vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Jackson, MSHouston, TX vs Jackson, MSJackson, MS vs Phoenix, AZJackson, MS vs Philadelphia, PA