Hattiesburg MS vs Jackson MS — 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
Jackson, MS
Mississippi · Population: 149,827
- Median HH Income$43,238
- Median Home Price$88,100
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hattiesburg
N/A
Jackson
149,827
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hattiesburg
N/A
Jackson
N/A
Median Age
Hattiesburg
N/A
Jackson
34.7
Foreign Born
Hattiesburg
N/A
Jackson
1.5%
White
Hattiesburg
N/A
Jackson
14.5%
Black
Hattiesburg
N/A
Jackson
81.8%
Asian
Hattiesburg
N/A
Jackson
0.3%
Hispanic
Hattiesburg
N/A
Jackson
2.2%
Spanish at Home
Hattiesburg
N/A
Jackson
N/A
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 149,827 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 34.7 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 1.5% | - |
| White | N/A | 14.5% | - |
| Black | N/A | 81.8% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 0.3% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 2.2% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hattiesburg
N/A
Jackson
$43,238
Per Capita Income
Hattiesburg
N/A
Jackson
$26,868
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hattiesburg
$46,995
Jackson
$46,995
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Jackson
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Jackson
26.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hattiesburg
N/A
Jackson
28.6%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $43,238 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $26,868 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $46,995 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 9.4% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 26.8% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 28.6% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hattiesburg
$221,516
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Homeownership Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Jackson
48.6%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $221,516 | $88,100 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 48.6% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
247
Jackson
247
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
1808
Jackson
1808
Tie
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 247 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1808 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
38.5%
Hattiesburg +
Jackson
46.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
13.6%
Hattiesburg +
Jackson
18.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hattiesburg
20.3%
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
12.9%
Jackson
12.8%
Jackson +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
13.9%
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
16.2%
Hattiesburg +
Jackson
18.1%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 46.0% | Hattiesburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 18.4% | Hattiesburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 18.3% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.8% | Jackson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.8% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 18.1% | Hattiesburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hattiesburg
66.0°F
Jackson
64.6°F
Jackson +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hattiesburg
61.6 in
Jackson
54.1 in
Jackson +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.0°F | 64.6°F | Jackson + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.6 in | 54.1 in | Jackson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
10.0 µg/m³
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hattiesburg
55.0%
Jackson
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 10.0 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hattiesburg
N/A
Jackson
21.9 min
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 21.9 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Jackson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $88,100. On public safety, Jackson is safer with a violent crime rate of 247 per 100,000 residents, compared to 247 in Hattiesburg. Jackson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hattiesburg scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.5%.
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