Athens GA vs Hattiesburg MS — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
Hattiesburg, MS
Mississippi · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$221,516
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Hattiesburg
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Hattiesburg
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Hattiesburg
N/A
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Hattiesburg
N/A
White
Athens
57.6%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Black
Athens
26.2%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Hattiesburg
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | N/A | - |
| White | 57.6% | N/A | - |
| Black | 26.2% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 4.3% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Hattiesburg
N/A
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Hattiesburg
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Athens +
Hattiesburg
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Hattiesburg
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $46,995 | Athens + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Hattiesburg
$221,516
Hattiesburg +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Hattiesburg
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $221,516 | Hattiesburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Hattiesburg
247
Hattiesburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Hattiesburg
1808
| Metric | Athens, GA | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 247 | Hattiesburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1808 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Hattiesburg
38.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Hattiesburg
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Hattiesburg
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Hattiesburg
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Hattiesburg
13.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Hattiesburg
16.2%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 38.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.9% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Athens +
Hattiesburg
66.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Athens +
Hattiesburg
61.6 in
| Metric | Athens, GA | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 66.0°F | Athens + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 61.6 in | Athens + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Athens +
Hattiesburg
10.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Hattiesburg
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Athens, GA | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.0 µg/m³ | Athens + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Hattiesburg
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Hattiesburg offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $221,516. On public safety, Hattiesburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 247 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Athens. Athens has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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