Jackson, MI vs Valparaiso, IN
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Jackson
74.6
#574 nationally
Valparaiso
73.7
#693 nationally
Valparaiso leads in crime level (1.8 vs 29.1). Valparaiso leads in median household income ($59,943 vs $41,988). Jackson leads in average commute (16.9 min vs 23.4 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Jackson, MI | Valparaiso, IN |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.6 (#574) | 73.7 (#693) |
| Population | 30,854 | 34,627 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $193,817 | $364,451 |
| Median Household Income | $41,988 | $59,943 |
| Average Commute | 16.9 min | 23.4 min |
| Walk Score | 47 | 39 |
| Crime Level | 29.1 | 1.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 98 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+21.3 | R+10.5 |
C
74.6 Score
Jackson, MI
Small Michigan city with local appeal
Median Home
$193,817
Population
30,854
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
47
Midwest
View Jackson, MI →
C
73.7 Score
Valparaiso, IN
Small Indiana city with local appeal
Median Home
$364,451
Population
34,627
Crime
Low
Walk Score
39
Midwest
View Valparaiso, IN →