Charlotte NC 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)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
Charlotte
886,283
Hattiesburg
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Hattiesburg
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Hattiesburg
N/A
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Hattiesburg
N/A
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Hattiesburg
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | N/A | - |
| White | 41.5% | N/A | - |
| Black | 34.1% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 6.3% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Hattiesburg
N/A
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Hattiesburg
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Charlotte +
Hattiesburg
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Hattiesburg
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $46,995 | Charlotte + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Hattiesburg
$221,516
Hattiesburg +
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Hattiesburg
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $221,516 | Hattiesburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Hattiesburg
247
Hattiesburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Hattiesburg
1808
Hattiesburg +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 247 | Hattiesburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1808 | Hattiesburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
Hattiesburg
38.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
Hattiesburg
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
Hattiesburg
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Hattiesburg
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Hattiesburg
13.9%
Hattiesburg +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Hattiesburg
16.2%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 38.5% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 13.6% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 20.3% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.9% | Charlotte + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 13.9% | Hattiesburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 16.2% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Charlotte +
Hattiesburg
66.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Charlotte +
Hattiesburg
61.6 in
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | 66.0°F | Charlotte + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 61.6 in | Charlotte + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Charlotte +
Hattiesburg
10.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Charlotte +
Hattiesburg
55.0%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 10.0 µg/m³ | Charlotte + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Charlotte + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Hattiesburg
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 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 398 in Charlotte. Charlotte has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charlotte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
Compare More Cities
Charlotte, NC vs New York, NYCharlotte, NC vs Los Angeles, CACharlotte, NC vs Chicago, ILCharlotte, NC vs Houston, TXCharlotte, NC vs Phoenix, AZCharlotte, NC vs Philadelphia, PA