Baton Rouge LA 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)
Baton Rouge, LA
Louisiana · Population: 223,699
- Median HH Income$49,944
- Median Home Price$231,011
- Unemployment9.0%
- Bachelor's+35.8%
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
Baton Rouge
223,699
Hattiesburg
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Hattiesburg
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Hattiesburg
N/A
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Hattiesburg
N/A
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Hattiesburg
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | N/A | - |
| White | 36.2% | N/A | - |
| Black | 51.0% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 3.6% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Hattiesburg
N/A
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Hattiesburg
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Baton Rouge +
Hattiesburg
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Hattiesburg
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $46,995 | Baton Rouge + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Hattiesburg
$221,516
Hattiesburg +
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Hattiesburg
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $221,516 | Hattiesburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Hattiesburg
247
Hattiesburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Hattiesburg
1808
Hattiesburg +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 247 | Hattiesburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1808 | Hattiesburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Baton Rouge +
Hattiesburg
38.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Hattiesburg
13.6%
Hattiesburg +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Hattiesburg
20.3%
Hattiesburg +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Hattiesburg
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Hattiesburg
13.9%
Hattiesburg +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Hattiesburg
16.2%
Hattiesburg +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 38.5% | Baton Rouge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.6% | Hattiesburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 20.3% | Hattiesburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.9% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 13.9% | Hattiesburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.2% | Hattiesburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Hattiesburg
66.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Hattiesburg
61.6 in
Hattiesburg +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 61.6 in | Hattiesburg + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Baton Rouge +
Hattiesburg
10.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Baton Rouge +
Hattiesburg
55.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 10.0 µg/m³ | Baton Rouge + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Baton Rouge + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Hattiesburg
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 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 643 in Baton Rouge. Baton Rouge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Baton Rouge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.9%.
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