Hattiesburg MS vs Independence MO — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Hattiesburg, MS
Mississippi · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$221,516
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hattiesburg
N/A
Independence
121,944
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hattiesburg
N/A
Independence
N/A
Median Age
Hattiesburg
N/A
Independence
38.4
Foreign Born
Hattiesburg
N/A
Independence
5.3%
White
Hattiesburg
N/A
Independence
72.2%
Black
Hattiesburg
N/A
Independence
10.8%
Asian
Hattiesburg
N/A
Independence
1.4%
Hispanic
Hattiesburg
N/A
Independence
12.4%
Spanish at Home
Hattiesburg
N/A
Independence
N/A
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 121,944 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 38.4 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 5.3% | - |
| White | N/A | 72.2% | - |
| Black | N/A | 10.8% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 1.4% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 12.4% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hattiesburg
N/A
Independence
$59,480
Per Capita Income
Hattiesburg
N/A
Independence
$31,683
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hattiesburg
$46,995
Independence
$58,527
Independence +
Unemployment Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Independence
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Independence
15.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hattiesburg
N/A
Independence
20.9%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $59,480 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $31,683 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $58,527 | Independence + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 6.0% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 15.3% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 20.9% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hattiesburg
$221,516
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Homeownership Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Independence
61.0%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $221,516 | $210,384 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 61.0% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
247
Hattiesburg +
Independence
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
1808
Hattiesburg +
Independence
2418
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 501 | Hattiesburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 2418 | Hattiesburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
38.5%
Independence
37.3%
Independence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
13.6%
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hattiesburg
20.3%
Independence
19.9%
Independence +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
12.9%
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
13.9%
Hattiesburg +
Independence
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
16.2%
Hattiesburg +
Independence
18.4%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 37.3% | Independence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.9% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 19.9% | Independence + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.5% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 16.8% | Hattiesburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 18.4% | Hattiesburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hattiesburg
66.0°F
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hattiesburg
61.6 in
Independence
43.7 in
Independence +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.0°F | 54.5°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.6 in | 43.7 in | Independence + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
10.0 µg/m³
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Independence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hattiesburg
55.0%
Independence
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Independence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hattiesburg
N/A
Independence
25.5 min
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 25.5 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Hattiesburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 247 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Independence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Independence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
Compare More Cities
Hattiesburg, MS vs New York, NYHattiesburg, MS vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Hattiesburg, MSHattiesburg, MS vs Houston, TXHattiesburg, MS vs Phoenix, AZHattiesburg, MS vs Philadelphia, PA