Durham 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)
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
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
Durham
288,465
Hattiesburg
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Hattiesburg
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Hattiesburg
N/A
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Hattiesburg
N/A
White
Durham
44.0%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Black
Durham
34.4%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Hattiesburg
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | N/A | - |
| White | 44.0% | N/A | - |
| Black | 34.4% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 5.6% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Hattiesburg
N/A
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Hattiesburg
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Durham +
Hattiesburg
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Hattiesburg
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $46,995 | Durham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Hattiesburg
$221,516
Hattiesburg +
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Hattiesburg
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $221,516 | Hattiesburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Hattiesburg
247
Hattiesburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Hattiesburg
1808
Hattiesburg +
| Metric | Durham, 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
Durham
36.8%
Durham +
Hattiesburg
38.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Hattiesburg
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
Hattiesburg
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Durham +
Hattiesburg
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Hattiesburg
13.9%
Hattiesburg +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
Hattiesburg
16.2%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 38.5% | Durham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 13.6% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 20.3% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 12.9% | Durham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.9% | Hattiesburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 16.2% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Durham +
Hattiesburg
66.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Durham +
Hattiesburg
61.6 in
| Metric | Durham, NC | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | 66.0°F | Durham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | 61.6 in | Durham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Durham +
Hattiesburg
10.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Durham +
Hattiesburg
55.0%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 10.0 µg/m³ | Durham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Durham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Hattiesburg
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 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 398 in Durham. Durham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Durham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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