Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Jackson, MS
VS
Joliet, IL
🏆 Jackson leads 13 of 20 categories
Jackson
Mississippi
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.7 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$42,193
Violent Crime Index
—
Population
153,271 ✓ Larger
Joliet
Illinois
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$84,971 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
92
Population
150,221
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Jackson, MS
Pros
Homes cost $129k less ($104,900 vs $233,800)
Rent averages $194/mo less ($980 vs $1,174)
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 57°F vs 31°F
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Joliet
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.7)
Cons
Median income trails Joliet by $42,778/yr
Higher unemployment (9.3% vs 6.2%)
Joliet, IL
Pros
Households earn $42,778 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.1 pts lower (6.2%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 92°F
Cons
Cost of living runs 12% higher than Jackson
Longer commutes — 29.6 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Jackson
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 90.7 vs 102.6 (100 = US avg)
Jackson
Median Home Value
$129k less
$104,900 vs $233,800
Jackson
Summer Heat
8.5°F warmer
July avg high 92.1°F vs 83.6°F
Joliet
Median Income
$42,778
$84,971 vs $42,193/yr
Joliet
Unemployment
3.1 pp lower
6.2% vs 9.3% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Joliet, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 90.7 ✓ Cheaper | 102.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $104,900 ✓ Lower | $233,800 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $980 ✓ Lower | $1,174 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $42,193 | $84,971 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.3%⚠ High | 6.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 20.3 min ✓ Shorter | 29.6 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 6.2% | 6.6% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | — | 79 |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | — | 92 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | — | 59 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (96) ✓ Better | B- (93) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 14.2:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.7% ✓ Higher | 24.9% |
| High School or Higher | 87.3% ✓ Higher | 84.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Jackson Public Schools | Joliet PSD 86 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 57.4°F ✓ Warmer | 31.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 92.1°F ✓ Warmer | 83.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 51.3" | 40.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 1.0" ✓ Less | 16.9" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 153,271 ✓ Larger | 150,221 |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 34.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.9% | 72.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 24.0% | 26.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 14.3% ✓ More | 10.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Jackson's cost of living index is 90.7 vs Joliet's 102.6 (US average = 100).
Jackson is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 20 decided categories above, Jackson leads 13 of 20 categories. Jackson wins 13 and Joliet wins 7. 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 Jackson to Joliet or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($104,900 vs $233,800 median home), income ($42,193 vs $84,971), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Jackson, MS and Joliet, IL are about 646 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.