Smart Movers Club

    Moving to Jackson, MS

    Is Jackson a good place to live?

    Watch Jackson

    Jackson ranks #12 of 16 Mississippi cities with 25,000+ people on the Smart Movers livability score (35/100), which weighs home affordability, unemployment, education and population growth. Population fell 2.2% in the latest Census year.

    Median home value
    $108,200
    +3.1% vs prior year
    Median rent
    $1,018
    per month
    Household income
    $43,238
    median
    Unemployment
    9.4%
    lower is better

    Cost of living in Jackson

    The median home value in Jackson is $108,200 and median rent is $1,018 a month, against a median household income of $43,238. Homes cost about 2.5× a year of income (under 3× is considered affordable).

    Jackson crime rate

    City-level FBI figures vary by agency; across Mississippi the 2025 rate was 224 violent and 1,315 property crimes per 100,000 people — #37 highest of 50 states. The full report breaks down local trends.

    Moving to Jackson, MS

    Jackson has about 149,827 residents, 9.4% unemployment and 16% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher.

    Compare Jackson with

    Jackson vs GulfportJackson vs SouthavenJackson vs BiloxiJackson vs HattiesburgJackson vs Olive BranchJackson vs TupeloJackson vs MeridianJackson vs Greenville

    More: Where to move in Mississippi · Best counties in Mississippi

    Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023, compared with 2022); FBI Crime Data Explorer.

    Home listings, local news, migration, schools, resources and the Smart Movers Grade & Verdict.

    See the full Smart Movers Club report