Atlanta 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Hattiesburg
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Hattiesburg
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Hattiesburg
N/A
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Hattiesburg
N/A
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Hattiesburg
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | N/A | - |
| White | 39.9% | N/A | - |
| Black | 46.9% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 5.0% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Hattiesburg
N/A
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Hattiesburg
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Atlanta +
Hattiesburg
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Hattiesburg
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $46,995 | Atlanta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Hattiesburg
$221,516
Hattiesburg +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Hattiesburg
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $221,516 | Hattiesburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Hattiesburg
247
Hattiesburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Hattiesburg
1808
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 247 | Hattiesburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1808 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Hattiesburg
38.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Hattiesburg
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Hattiesburg
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Atlanta +
Hattiesburg
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Hattiesburg
13.9%
Hattiesburg +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Hattiesburg
16.2%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 38.5% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.6% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 20.3% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 12.9% | Atlanta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 13.9% | Hattiesburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 16.2% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Hattiesburg
66.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Atlanta +
Hattiesburg
61.6 in
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 61.6 in | Atlanta + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Atlanta +
Hattiesburg
10.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Hattiesburg
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.0 µg/m³ | Atlanta + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Hattiesburg
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 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 Atlanta. Atlanta has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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