Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Irving, TX
VS
Jackson, MS
🏆 Jackson leads 11 of 20 categories
Irving
Texas
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$76,686 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
72
Population
254,962 ✓ 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.
Irving, TX
Pros
Households earn $34,493 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 5.2 pts lower (4.1%)
More college-educated — 40.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,423/mo
Cost of living runs 13% higher than Jackson
Jackson, MS
Pros
Homes cost $155k less ($104,900 vs $259,500)
Rent averages $443/mo less ($980 vs $1,423)
13% cheaper overall cost of living than Irving
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.7)
Smaller class sizes — 13.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Irving by $34,493/yr
Higher unemployment (9.3% vs 4.1%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Irving
Median Income
$34,493
$76,686 vs $42,193/yr
Irving
Unemployment
5.2 pp lower
4.1% vs 9.3% unemployment
Irving
Summer Heat
3.5°F warmer
July avg high 95.6°F vs 92.1°F
Jackson
Cost of Living
13% cheaper
COL index 90.7 vs 103.3 (100 = US avg)
Jackson
Median Home Value
$155k less
$104,900 vs $259,500
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Irving, TX | Jackson, MS |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High | 90.7 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $259,500 | $104,900 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,423⚠ High | $980 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $76,686 ✓ Higher | $42,193 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 9.3%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.8 min | 20.3 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 14.0% ✓ Higher | 6.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 85 | — |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 72 | — |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 105⚠ High | — |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (109) ✓ Better | B- (96) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.5:1 | 13.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 40.5% ✓ Higher | 28.7% |
| High School or Higher | 79.7% | 87.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | IRVING ISD | Jackson Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.5°F | 57.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 95.6°F ✓ Warmer | 92.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 37.0" ✓ Drier | 51.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 1.6" | 1.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 254,962 ✓ Larger | 153,271 |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 34.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.2% | 48.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 26.4% ✓ More | 24.0% |
| Over 65 | 8.3% | 14.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Irving's cost of living index is 103.3 vs Jackson's 90.7 (US average = 100).
Jackson is 13% less expensive overall.
Based on the 20 decided categories above, Jackson leads 11 of 20 categories. Irving 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 Irving to Jackson or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($259,500 vs $104,900 median home), income ($76,686 vs $42,193), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Irving, TX and Jackson, MS are about 395 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.