Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chicago, IL
VS
Jackson, MS
🏆 Jackson leads 11 of 20 categories
Chicago
Illinois
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$71,673 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
142⚠ High
Population
2,721,914 ✓ Larger
Jackson
Mississippi
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.7 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$42,193
Violent Crime Index
—
Population
153,271
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chicago, IL
Pros
Households earn $29,480 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.1 pts lower (8.2%)
More college-educated — 42.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 81°F vs 92°F
Cons
Violent crime (539.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3472.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Cost of living runs 12% higher than Jackson
Longer commutes — 34.1 min average each way
Jackson, MS
Pros
Homes cost $200k less ($104,900 vs $304,500)
Rent averages $334/mo less ($980 vs $1,314)
Commutes run 14 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 57°F vs 32°F
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Chicago
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.7)
Cons
Median income trails Chicago by $29,480/yr
Higher unemployment (9.3% vs 8.2%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Chicago
Median Income
$29,480
$71,673 vs $42,193/yr
Chicago
Unemployment
1.1 pp lower
8.2% vs 9.3% unemployment
Jackson
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 90.7 vs 102.6 (100 = US avg)
Jackson
Median Home Value
$200k less
$104,900 vs $304,500
Jackson
Summer Heat
11.1°F warmer
July avg high 92.1°F vs 81.0°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Jackson, MS |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High | 90.7 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $304,500 | $104,900 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,314 | $980 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $71,673 ✓ Higher | $42,193 |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 9.3%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 34.1 min⚠ High | 20.3 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 15.6% ✓ Higher | 6.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 151⚠ High | — |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 142⚠ High | — |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 165⚠ High | — |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (118) ✓ Better | B- (96) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.8:1 ✓ Smaller | 13.9:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.4% ✓ Higher | 28.7% |
| High School or Higher | 86.6% | 87.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | Jackson Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.9°F | 57.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 81.0°F | 92.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 34.4" ✓ Drier | 51.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 38.8" | 1.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 2,721,914 ✓ Larger | 153,271 |
| Median Age | 35.3 ✓ Older | 34.1 |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.6% | 48.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.0% | 24.0% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.3% | 14.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chicago's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Jackson's 90.7 (US average = 100).
Jackson is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 20 decided categories above, Jackson leads 11 of 20 categories. Chicago wins 9 and Jackson wins 11. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Chicago to Jackson or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($304,500 vs $104,900 median home), income ($71,673 vs $42,193), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chicago, IL and Jackson, MS are about 672 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.