Denton TX 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)
Denton, TX
Texas · Population: 1,299,553
- Median HH Income$67,760
- Median Home Price$354,100
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.4%
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
Denton
1,299,553
Hattiesburg
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Denton
N/A
Hattiesburg
N/A
Median Age
Denton
33.4
Hattiesburg
N/A
Foreign Born
Denton
23.4%
Hattiesburg
N/A
White
Denton
41.9%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Black
Denton
23.7%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Asian
Denton
3.7%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Hispanic
Denton
41.9%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Spanish at Home
Denton
N/A
Hattiesburg
N/A
| Metric | Denton, TX | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | N/A | - |
| White | 41.9% | N/A | - |
| Black | 23.7% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 3.7% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Denton
$67,760
Hattiesburg
N/A
Per Capita Income
Denton
$44,138
Hattiesburg
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Denton
$63,758
Denton +
Hattiesburg
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Denton
4.9%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Poverty Rate
Denton
17.2%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Denton
37.4%
Hattiesburg
N/A
| Metric | Denton, TX | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $46,995 | Denton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Denton
$354,100
Hattiesburg
$221,516
Hattiesburg +
Homeownership Rate
Denton
42.4%
Hattiesburg
N/A
| Metric | Denton, TX | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $354,100 | $221,516 | Hattiesburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denton
442
Hattiesburg
247
Hattiesburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denton
2339
Hattiesburg
1808
Hattiesburg +
| Metric | Denton, TX | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 247 | Hattiesburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1808 | Hattiesburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Denton
35.5%
Denton +
Hattiesburg
38.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Denton
9.5%
Denton +
Hattiesburg
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Denton
19.4%
Denton +
Hattiesburg
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Denton
14.9%
Hattiesburg
12.9%
Hattiesburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Denton
18.3%
Hattiesburg
13.9%
Hattiesburg +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Denton
11.2%
Denton +
Hattiesburg
16.2%
| Metric | Denton, TX | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.5% | 38.5% | Denton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 13.6% | Denton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 20.3% | Denton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.9% | Hattiesburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 13.9% | Hattiesburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 16.2% | Denton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denton
64.8°F
Denton +
Hattiesburg
66.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denton
38.1 in
Denton +
Hattiesburg
61.6 in
| Metric | Denton, TX | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8°F | 66.0°F | Denton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 61.6 in | Denton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Denton
9.2 µg/m³
Denton +
Hattiesburg
10.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Denton
55.0%
Hattiesburg
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Denton, TX | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.0 µg/m³ | Denton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Denton
28.3 min
Hattiesburg
N/A
| Metric | Denton, TX | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 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 442 in Denton. Denton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.5%.
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