Below Average CostHigh CrimeVandercook Lake Public Schools
Downtown Jackson, MI · Phillip L. Hofmeister / CC BY 3.0Jackson, MI location · Notorious4life (talk) (Uploads) / CC0Michigan - Escanaba through Jackson - NARA - 23941581 (cropped) · Unknown authorUnknown author or not provided / Public domainConsumers Energy Headquarters, Jackson, Michigan · WeaponizingArchitecture / CC BY-SA 4.0
Jackson is a small city of 31,420 in Michigan, with a median household income of $41,988
and a 10.9% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 93 (US average = 100), which is
7% below the national average.
Strengths:
Jackson stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include a higher-than-average crime index, an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Jackson is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Jackson city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 92.7
Jackson's overall cost of living index is 92.7,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Jackson costs roughly 7% less than the average American city.
Metric
Jackson, MI
National Avg
Median Home Value
$88,000
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$838
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
54.7%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$41,988
$74,755
Crime & Safety
High Crime
Jackson's violent crime rate is 1061.8 per 100,000 residents
— 179% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
1061.8 /100k
Property Crime
3735.7 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Jackson is served primarily by Vandercook Lake Public Schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 17.3:1
(slightly above the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Jackson, MI
National Avg
School District
Vandercook Lake Public Schools
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
N/A
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
17.3:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
15.3%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
87.3%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Jackson sees average highs of 31.3°F in January
and 82.5°F in July,
with 38.3 inches of annual precipitation
and 40.4 inches of snow per year.
Jackson's cost of living index is 93, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Jackson roughly 7% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $88,000 and median rent is $838/month.
Jackson's violent crime rate is 1061.8 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 3735.7 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Jackson are operated by Vandercook Lake Public Schools.
The district has 1 elementary, several middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 17.3:1. 15.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Jackson, MI has a population of 31,420, a median household income of $41,988, and an unemployment rate of 10.9%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Jackson averages 31.3°F in January and 82.5°F in July. Annual rainfall is 38.3 inches
with about 40.4 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Jackson, MI is covered by 2 ZIP codes: 49203, 49202.
The population of Jackson, Michigan is 31,420 with a median age of 35.0. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Jackson: cost of living index 93 (100 = US average), median home $88,000, median household income $41,988, crime index 239 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Jackson side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
.jpg)
