Jackson is the capital of Mississippi and is known as the city with soul.
The name fits. it is a classic southern town and has a colorful history that has a good and bad side.
The weather is good most of the time, and southern hospitality is a real thing you will find here.
Jackson has been getting smaller in recent years, but that may be part of the reason it should be given consideration as a place to live.
Contents
Pros of Living in Jackson, MS
1. Southern Hospitality
Southern hospitality is a real thing.
People are friendlier and move more slowly, than in other parts of the country.
Most people are willing to be helpful, or will just enjoy chatting with you on the street.
It may be a little superficial, but the desire to make everyone comfortable is real.
People enjoy inviting other people into their homes, and to various outings.
2. The Food
The south is famous for its food, and Jackson is close enough to the Gulf of Mexico, to have a lot of fresh seafood available too.
Each state in the South has its own version of barbeque, and you will probably like what this state has to offer as well.
There are soul food places, fried fish stands on the streets, seafood, and classic southern cooking.
3. Education
Mississippi has a reputation for poor education, but that is a thing of the past.
There are four colleges in Jackson alone.
Mississippi is the fifth-cheapest state for out-of-state students, and even less for in-state students.
Public schools in Jackson also get high marks in grades k-12.
Your kids can get a quality education without leaving the state. Adult continuing education is also easily available.
4. Low Housing Costs
The cost of housing is about 30 percent below the national average.
If you are moving from another state, you can probably get a bigger house than the one you came from at a lower price.
Rent costs are also reasonable.
It may be because it is the state capital, but housing costs more in Jackson.
Even then, it is still less than the national average.
5. Cost of Living
Mississippi is one of, if not the cheapest state in America for the cost of living.
The cost of living in Jackson is 16 percent below the national average.
It is one of the more expensive cities in the state, but even then, it is less than anywhere else.
Housing is 30 percent less than the national average, utilities are 17 percent lower, and groceries are about 10 percent lower.
6. Weather
Jackson is close to the middle of the state, but further south than north.
This leads to it having a warmer climate.
It rarely gets below freezing, and the city gets an inch of snow every year if even that.
Jackson gets more than 200 days of sunny skies each year.
Surprisingly enough, summers are not overbearing either.
The weather can be downright boring, and that is a good thing in most cases.
7. History and Museums
Jackson was named after Andrew Jackson, the seventh president.
It was central to the Confederacy, and later the center of the civil rights movement.
There are several interesting museums recounting the area’s interesting history.
The Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, as well as the Mississippi History Museum, are great places to learn history.
8. Getting Around
The city has a nice bus system that goes to many parts of town.
The town is friendly for walking too, with a lot of sidewalks that are kept clean.
There is an international airport with connections to the rest of the world.
Two interstates converge in Jackson, and there are two major U.S. highways that go through the city.
Most people get around in their cars, but Jackson is one southern city that has made it easy for people to get around without a vehicle too.
Cons of Living in Jackson, MS
1. Lots of Crime
Perhaps the greatest drawback to Jackson, MS., is the gun violence.
For the past three years, the city has had at least 120 murders, mostly the result of gun violence.
It has more murders per capita than any other city of its size.
The city has 733 violent crimes per 100,000 people, which is double the national average.
Jackson is also nearly double the national average on property crime, and at about the state average in property crimes.
2. Lots of Poverty
As many as 26 percent of families in Jackson, Mississippi live below the poverty level, which is double the national average.
The poverty rate for the entire state is 19 percent.
The entire state is one of the poorest in America, and there may be many reasons for this.
Part of it is low-paying jobs.
Many people who are below the poverty level have full-time jobs.
The per capita income in Jackson is $23,000 and the national rate is $37,000.
3. The Weather
Yes, this is both a pro and con of living in Jackson.
Winters are mild, but summers can be unbearably hot.
They are not much hotter than anywhere else in the Deep South, but if you are not used to the heat, you can be miserable if you don’t have air conditioning.
The humidity can also be a problem if you are not accustomed to it.
Jackson also has its share of thunderstorms and tornadoes that can cause a lot of damage.
4. Hurricanes
Jackson is far enough inland that it is not going to get a direct hit from a hurricane.
This does not make the city immune from these huge storms, however.
Something beyond a Category 1 storm will drop a lot of rainfall in the city.
It will rain very hard for several days nonstop.
This will cause flooding, and there could be wind damage.
At times the city has been evacuated when a large storm hits the south coast.
When that happens the city is also overrun by people heading north from the coast.
5. Bugs
A problem throughout the south, as well as in Jackson, is the constant barrage of insects and other creatures that thrive on heat and humidity.
You may have to contend with roaches, ants, and other crawly things that may not be pleasant.
There are a lot of mosquitos at night as well, which can make you want to stay indoors.
There are also raccoons, muskrats, and other small animals that like to get into garbage cans at night.
You may need to have an exterminator come around regularly, and you will need to keep a tight lid on that trash can outside.
6. Lower Population
For several years the population has been shrinking, and it has gone down five percent over the last five years.
Since 1990 the city has gone from almost 200,000 residents to 150,000 in 2023.
There can be a lot of reasons for this, but there was no major single incident that caused this.
It could be a lack of opportunity for jobs or better jobs elsewhere.
Fewer people can also result in fewer services available, which can also cause people to leave an area.
Still, there is an interesting capital city there to explore, with several things going for it.
The lower population also makes housing cheaper.
7. Lack of Opportunity
Healthcare, retail, and education are the major employers, and if you have a college degree or a lot of experience in these areas, you may do well in the job market.
If not, you may have a hard time finding a good job in Jackson.
It can be hard to start a career when there are not as many industries as the ones in larger cities.
This could be a reason people are leaving.
The pay scale is also rather low for most unskilled jobs, and it is hard to make a living on that pay scale.
8. Racial Tensions
The state of Mississippi, and the south in general, has a reputation for having a lot of racists, and for there being a lot of racial tensions.
A lot of people who live in the south would take issue with that assessment.
Most people do get along fine.
Even so, the reputation is there because of the past years of racial violence and injustice.
As many as 80 percent of the population is of African-American descent, and 15 percent is white.
Pros and Cons of Living in Jackson, MS – Summary Table
| Pros of Living in Jackson, MS | Cons of Living in Jackson, MS |
|---|---|
| 1. Southern Hospitality | 1. Lots of Crime |
| 2. The Food | 2. Lots of Poverty |
| 3. Education | 3. The Weather |
| 4. Low Housing Costs | 4. Hurricanes |
| 5. Cost of Living | 5. Bugs |
| 6. Weather | 6. Lower Population |
| 7. History and Museums | 7. Lack of Opportunity |
| 8. Getting Around | 8. Racial Tensions |
Jackson Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Jackson Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: HIGH
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: HIGH
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: HIGH
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Jackson Mississippi founded?
The city was created in 1821 to be the state capital.
A few states have created a city for that purpose.
It is not exactly in the middle of the state, but it is where travel routes converge.
At the time it was significant that the Pearl River and Natchez trace converged in Jackson.
Jackson was named for President Andrew Jackson, the seventh president.
Why does Jackson call itself "The City with Soul?"
“Soul Food,”: is often associated with African American heritage, and that is the case in Jackson.
There is a lot of that, and many other local restaurants that are great.
The soulful idea also comes from the rich history, even though some of it is dark.
There are a lot of landmarks that shape our country’s history from the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement.
There are as many as 30 museums and four historic districts on the national register.
And of course, there is barbeque, which has to be experienced.
What is Jackson's musical heritage?
The Delta Blues came from Mississippi, but not really from Jackson.
Even so, Jackson is known for its many old-time time authentic blues clubs where there is always good music and room for dancing.
It has a vibrant nightlife scene.
What state park is in Jackson?
LeFleur’s Bluff State Park is a green spot that serves as an oasis in Jackson.
There is a golf course, camping, fishing, hiking trails, and picnic areas on the banks of the Pearl River.
It was named after a French explorer who settled in the area on the banks of the river.
What are some good trails in Jackson?
Jackson has several biking trails in the city, and in the areas immediately out of the city.
There are 21 trails covering more than 43 miles in the city alone.
These are for walkers and for bicycles.
The museum trail connects seven museums in the city and other points of interest.
Jackson, MS is a classic southern town with a colorful history and a mix of good and bad aspects, including friendly people, delicious food, affordable housing and cost of living.
Living in Jackson, MS is a mixed bag – you’ll enjoy the genuine southern hospitality, delicious food and affordable cost of living but be prepared for high crime rates, poverty issues and occasional extreme weather conditions.