Columbus OH 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)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
Columbus
906,480
Hattiesburg
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Hattiesburg
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Hattiesburg
N/A
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Hattiesburg
N/A
White
Columbus
53.3%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Hattiesburg
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | N/A | - |
| White | 53.3% | N/A | - |
| Black | 29.0% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 5.8% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Hattiesburg
N/A
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Hattiesburg
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Columbus +
Hattiesburg
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Hattiesburg
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $46,995 | Columbus + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Hattiesburg
$221,516
Hattiesburg +
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Hattiesburg
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $221,516 | Hattiesburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Hattiesburg
247
Hattiesburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Hattiesburg
1808
Hattiesburg +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 247 | Hattiesburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1808 | Hattiesburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
Hattiesburg
38.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Columbus +
Hattiesburg
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Columbus +
Hattiesburg
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Hattiesburg
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Hattiesburg
13.9%
Hattiesburg +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Columbus +
Hattiesburg
16.2%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 38.5% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.6% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 20.3% | Columbus + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 12.9% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 13.9% | Hattiesburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 16.2% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Hattiesburg
66.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Columbus +
Hattiesburg
61.6 in
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 61.6 in | Columbus + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Hattiesburg
10.0 µg/m³
Hattiesburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Hattiesburg
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 10.0 µg/m³ | Hattiesburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
23.4 min
Hattiesburg
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 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 319 in Columbus. Hattiesburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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