Fargo ND 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)
Fargo, ND
North Dakota · Population: 129,064
- Median HH Income$66,029
- Median Home Price$318,584
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+43.2%
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
Fargo
129,064
Hattiesburg
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fargo
N/A
Hattiesburg
N/A
Median Age
Fargo
32.2
Hattiesburg
N/A
Foreign Born
Fargo
9.7%
Hattiesburg
N/A
White
Fargo
80.8%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Black
Fargo
8.3%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Asian
Fargo
3.9%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Hispanic
Fargo
3.7%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Spanish at Home
Fargo
N/A
Hattiesburg
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 9.7% | N/A | - |
| White | 80.8% | N/A | - |
| Black | 8.3% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 3.9% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 3.7% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fargo
$66,029
Hattiesburg
N/A
Per Capita Income
Fargo
$42,212
Hattiesburg
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Hattiesburg
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Fargo
3.9%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Poverty Rate
Fargo
12.8%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Fargo
43.2%
Hattiesburg
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,029 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $42,212 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $71,089 | $46,995 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.2% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fargo
$318,584
Hattiesburg
$221,516
Hattiesburg +
Homeownership Rate
Fargo
44.1%
Hattiesburg
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,584 | $221,516 | Hattiesburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
288
Hattiesburg
247
Hattiesburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fargo
2037
Hattiesburg
1808
Hattiesburg +
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 288 | 247 | Hattiesburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2037 | 1808 | Hattiesburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
34.3%
Fargo +
Hattiesburg
38.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Hattiesburg
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
Hattiesburg
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Hattiesburg
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fargo
21.5%
Hattiesburg
13.9%
Hattiesburg +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
Hattiesburg
16.2%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 38.5% | Fargo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 13.6% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 20.3% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 12.9% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 13.9% | Hattiesburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.2% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Hattiesburg
66.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fargo
22.6 in
Fargo +
Hattiesburg
61.6 in
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.4°F | 66.0°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 22.6 in | 61.6 in | Fargo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Fargo +
Hattiesburg
10.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fargo
75.0%
Fargo +
Hattiesburg
55.0%
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 10.0 µg/m³ | Fargo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fargo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fargo
17.3 min
Hattiesburg
N/A
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.3 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 288 in Fargo. Fargo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fargo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.3%.
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