Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Jackson, MS
VS
Tacoma, WA
🏆 Jackson leads 11 of 20 categories
Jackson
Mississippi
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.7 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$42,193
Violent Crime Index
—
Population
153,271
Tacoma
Washington
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$79,085 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
280⚠ High
Population
219,234 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Jackson, MS
Pros
Homes cost $310k less ($104,900 vs $415,300)
Rent averages $509/mo less ($980 vs $1,489)
22% cheaper overall cost of living than Tacoma
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.7)
Milder winters — January highs near 57°F vs 48°F
Cons
Median income trails Tacoma by $36,892/yr
Higher unemployment (9.3% vs 5.4%)
Tacoma, WA
Pros
Households earn $36,892 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.9 pts lower (5.4%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 77°F vs 92°F
More college-educated — 32.8% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $415,300
Higher rents — median is $1,489/mo
Violent crime (1063.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 22% higher than Jackson
Key Differences at a Glance
Jackson
Cost of Living
22% cheaper
COL index 90.7 vs 113.0 (100 = US avg)
Jackson
Median Home Value
$310k less
$104,900 vs $415,300
Jackson
Summer Heat
15.3°F warmer
July avg high 92.1°F vs 76.8°F
Tacoma
Median Income
$36,892
$79,085 vs $42,193/yr
Tacoma
Unemployment
3.9 pp lower
5.4% vs 9.3% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Tacoma, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 90.7 ✓ Cheaper | 113.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $104,900 ✓ Lower | $415,300⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $980 ✓ Lower | $1,489⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $42,193 | $79,085 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.3%⚠ High | 5.4%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 20.3 min ✓ Shorter | 29.6 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 6.2% | 12.1% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | — | 275⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | — | 280⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | — | 267⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (96) ✓ Better | B- (91) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 18.8:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.7% | 32.8% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.3% | 90.9% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Jackson Public Schools | Tacoma School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 57.4°F ✓ Warmer | 48.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 92.1°F ✓ Warmer | 76.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 51.3" | 40.8" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 1.0" ✓ Less | 5.6" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 153,271 | 219,234 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 36.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.9% | 56.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 24.0% ✓ More | 19.7% |
| Over 65 | 14.3% ✓ More | 14.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Jackson's cost of living index is 90.7 vs Tacoma's 113.0 (US average = 100).
Jackson is 22% less expensive overall.
Based on the 20 decided categories above, Jackson leads 11 of 20 categories. Jackson wins 11 and Tacoma wins 9. 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 Tacoma or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($104,900 vs $415,300 median home), income ($42,193 vs $79,085), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Jackson, MS and Tacoma, WA are about 1,978 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.