Hattiesburg MS vs Kent WA — 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
Kent, WA
Washington · Population: 84,389
- Median HH Income$72,867
- Median Home Price$657,911
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+27.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hattiesburg
N/A
Kent
84,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hattiesburg
N/A
Kent
N/A
Median Age
Hattiesburg
N/A
Kent
35.8
Foreign Born
Hattiesburg
N/A
Kent
14.1%
White
Hattiesburg
N/A
Kent
67.2%
Black
Hattiesburg
N/A
Kent
2.3%
Asian
Hattiesburg
N/A
Kent
1.9%
Hispanic
Hattiesburg
N/A
Kent
31.8%
Spanish at Home
Hattiesburg
N/A
Kent
N/A
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 84,389 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 35.8 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 14.1% | - |
| White | N/A | 67.2% | - |
| Black | N/A | 2.3% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 1.9% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 31.8% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hattiesburg
N/A
Kent
$72,867
Per Capita Income
Hattiesburg
N/A
Kent
$35,662
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hattiesburg
$46,995
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Unemployment Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Kent
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Kent
13.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hattiesburg
N/A
Kent
27.0%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $72,867 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $35,662 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $76,120 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.9% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 13.9% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 27.0% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hattiesburg
$221,516
Hattiesburg +
Kent
$657,911
Homeownership Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Kent
62.8%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $221,516 | $657,911 | Hattiesburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 62.8% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
247
Hattiesburg +
Kent
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
1808
Hattiesburg +
Kent
3409
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 383 | Hattiesburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 3409 | Hattiesburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
38.5%
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
13.6%
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hattiesburg
20.3%
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
12.9%
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
13.9%
Hattiesburg +
Kent
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
16.2%
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 25.7% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 9.3% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 17.2% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.6% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 15.7% | Hattiesburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 10.3% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hattiesburg
66.0°F
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hattiesburg
61.6 in
Kent
39.1 in
Kent +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.0°F | 53.2°F | Kent + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.6 in | 39.1 in | Kent + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
10.0 µg/m³
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hattiesburg
55.0%
Kent
75.0%
Kent +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Kent + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hattiesburg
N/A
Kent
23.0 min
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 23.0 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 383 in Kent. Kent has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kent scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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