Jackson 74 Excellent
Jackson Livability #167 ranked city in Michigan#4,166 ranked city in the USARanks better than 85% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Jackson

PROS
  • Commute

    High scores in the commute category could indicate that this area offers short commute times to work and readily available public transportation options.

  • Cost Of Living

    Residents in this area benefit from an affordable cost of living. This includes goods and services, transportation, housing, utilities, groceries and healthcare.

  • Housing

    The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety

    Earning a high health and safety score depends on factors such as good air quality and the availability of essential health facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors, and fire stations.

CONS
  • Crime

    High crime rates per 100,000 people are reported in this area, potentially indicating that it is an unsafe place to live. These statistics consider both violent and property offenses.

  • Employment

    The combination of low income levels and high unemployment rates contributes to a low score in the employment category, which could make it challenging to secure well-paying jobs.

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What's it like Living in Jackson?

Jackson, Michigan is a mid-sized city with a population of 32,251 people. If we look at the most recent Census, Jackson is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Black and Asian. Jackson is not known to have a high population (over 15 years old) of married people. At only 39% married, this city falls well below the national average. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Jackson offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 19 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Are you trying to decide if living in Jackson is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a good experience before moving to any new city in Michigan, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. The best areas in Jackson and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from crime, commute, education, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Michigan and national averages.

The livability score in Jackson is 74 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 88th percentile of all cities across America. If we consider each of the categories on their own, we see that Jackson ranks well for housing (A-). Unfortunately for Jackson, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: crime (F) and employment (F).

Achieving a cost-effective lifestyle can be pivotal in managing your monthly expenditures, especially given the ongoing upward trajectory of everday goods and housing prices. In Jackson, residents are fortunate to experience a cost of living that is 25.04% below the national average. This advantageous positioning extends its impact to a wide spectrum of expenses, encompassing not only goods and services but also transportation and health care costs. As a result, this area stands out as a place where your money stretches further, ensuring that you can maintain a more economical and sustainable lifestyle. This affordability becomes increasingly valuable in an era marked by soaring costs, making Jackson an attractive choice for those seeking financial prudence without compromising on quality of life.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Jackson excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Jackson is real estate affordability. Median real estate prices in Jackson come in at $71,400, which is 44.1% lower than the Michigan average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Jackson, the home price to income ratio is 1.9, which is 24% lower than the Michigan average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Jackson

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Jackson?

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Compare Jackson, MI Livability

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      Jackson transportation information

      Statistic Jackson Michigan National
      Average one way commute19min24min26min
      Workers who drive to work76.7%82.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool13.4%8.8%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.6%1.4%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.7%0.5%0.6%
      Workers who walk4.1%2.2%2.8%
      Working from home3.1%3.7%4.6%
      Source: The Jackson, MI data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).