Fayetteville AR 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)
Fayetteville, AR
Arkansas · Population: 97,227
- Median HH Income$59,074
- Median Home Price$380,101
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+49.8%
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
Fayetteville
97,227
Hattiesburg
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Hattiesburg
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Hattiesburg
N/A
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Hattiesburg
N/A
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Hattiesburg
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | N/A | - |
| White | 75.6% | N/A | - |
| Black | 5.2% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 3.1% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Hattiesburg
N/A
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Hattiesburg
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Fayetteville +
Hattiesburg
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Hattiesburg
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Hattiesburg
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $46,995 | Fayetteville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Hattiesburg
$221,516
Hattiesburg +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Hattiesburg
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $221,516 | Hattiesburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Hattiesburg
247
Hattiesburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Hattiesburg
1808
Hattiesburg +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 247 | Hattiesburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1808 | Hattiesburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Hattiesburg
38.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Hattiesburg
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Hattiesburg
20.3%
Hattiesburg +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Hattiesburg
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Hattiesburg
13.9%
Hattiesburg +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
Hattiesburg
16.2%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 38.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 13.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 20.3% | Hattiesburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 13.9% | Hattiesburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 16.2% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Fayetteville +
Hattiesburg
66.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Fayetteville +
Hattiesburg
61.6 in
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 66.0°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 61.6 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Hattiesburg
10.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Hattiesburg
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 10.0 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Hattiesburg
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Hattiesburg, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 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 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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