Hattiesburg MS vs Jacksonville FL — 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
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hattiesburg
N/A
Jacksonville
961,739
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hattiesburg
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
Median Age
Hattiesburg
N/A
Jacksonville
36.4
Foreign Born
Hattiesburg
N/A
Jacksonville
12.2%
White
Hattiesburg
N/A
Jacksonville
51.2%
Black
Hattiesburg
N/A
Jacksonville
30.1%
Asian
Hattiesburg
N/A
Jacksonville
4.9%
Hispanic
Hattiesburg
N/A
Jacksonville
12.0%
Spanish at Home
Hattiesburg
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 961,739 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 36.4 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 12.2% | - |
| White | N/A | 51.2% | - |
| Black | N/A | 30.1% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 4.9% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 12.0% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hattiesburg
N/A
Jacksonville
$66,981
Per Capita Income
Hattiesburg
N/A
Jacksonville
$37,269
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hattiesburg
$46,995
Jacksonville
$65,328
Jacksonville +
Unemployment Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Jacksonville
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Jacksonville
15.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hattiesburg
N/A
Jacksonville
31.9%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $66,981 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $37,269 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $65,328 | Jacksonville + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.6% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 15.0% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 31.9% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hattiesburg
$221,516
Hattiesburg +
Jacksonville
$286,396
Homeownership Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Jacksonville
57.4%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $221,516 | $286,396 | Hattiesburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 57.4% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
247
Hattiesburg +
Jacksonville
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
1808
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 324 | Hattiesburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1453 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
38.5%
Jacksonville
34.8%
Jacksonville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
13.6%
Jacksonville
13.2%
Jacksonville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hattiesburg
20.3%
Jacksonville
18.8%
Jacksonville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
12.9%
Hattiesburg +
Jacksonville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
13.9%
Hattiesburg +
Jacksonville
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
16.2%
Jacksonville
14.8%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 34.8% | Jacksonville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 13.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 18.8% | Jacksonville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.9% | Hattiesburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 15.2% | Hattiesburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.8% | Jacksonville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hattiesburg
66.0°F
Hattiesburg +
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hattiesburg
61.6 in
Jacksonville
50.0 in
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.0°F | 70.2°F | Hattiesburg + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.6 in | 50.0 in | Jacksonville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
10.0 µg/m³
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hattiesburg
55.0%
Jacksonville
75.0%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Jacksonville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hattiesburg
N/A
Jacksonville
26.0 min
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 26.0 min | - |
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 324 in Jacksonville. Jacksonville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jacksonville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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