Hattiesburg MS vs Joliet IL — 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
Joliet, IL
Illinois · Population: 149,785
- Median HH Income$88,026
- Median Home Price$264,637
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hattiesburg
N/A
Joliet
149,785
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hattiesburg
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Hattiesburg
N/A
Joliet
35.3
Foreign Born
Hattiesburg
N/A
Joliet
15.2%
White
Hattiesburg
N/A
Joliet
52.7%
Black
Hattiesburg
N/A
Joliet
17.0%
Asian
Hattiesburg
N/A
Joliet
2.1%
Hispanic
Hattiesburg
N/A
Joliet
34.7%
Spanish at Home
Hattiesburg
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 149,785 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 35.3 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 15.2% | - |
| White | N/A | 52.7% | - |
| Black | N/A | 17.0% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 2.1% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 34.7% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hattiesburg
N/A
Joliet
$88,026
Per Capita Income
Hattiesburg
N/A
Joliet
$35,820
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hattiesburg
$46,995
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Unemployment Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Joliet
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Joliet
11.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hattiesburg
N/A
Joliet
25.0%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $88,026 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $35,820 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $68,110 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.8% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 11.0% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 25.0% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hattiesburg
$221,516
Hattiesburg +
Joliet
$264,637
Homeownership Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Joliet
73.1%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $221,516 | $264,637 | Hattiesburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 73.1% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
247
Hattiesburg +
Joliet
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
1808
Hattiesburg +
Joliet
1842
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 344 | Hattiesburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1842 | Hattiesburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
38.5%
Hattiesburg +
Joliet
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
13.6%
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hattiesburg
20.3%
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
12.9%
Hattiesburg +
Joliet
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
13.9%
Hattiesburg +
Joliet
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
16.2%
Joliet
14.0%
Joliet +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 41.9% | Hattiesburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 11.7% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 17.7% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.9% | Hattiesburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 19.1% | Hattiesburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.0% | Joliet + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hattiesburg
66.0°F
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hattiesburg
61.6 in
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.0°F | 50.6°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.6 in | 36.8 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
10.0 µg/m³
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Joliet +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hattiesburg
55.0%
Joliet
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Joliet + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hattiesburg
N/A
Joliet
31.7 min
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 31.7 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 344 in Joliet. Joliet has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hattiesburg scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.5%.
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