Hattiesburg MS vs Lafayette LA — 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
Lafayette, LA
Louisiana · Population: 121,537
- Median HH Income$61,454
- Median Home Price$225,222
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hattiesburg
N/A
Lafayette
121,537
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hattiesburg
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
Median Age
Hattiesburg
N/A
Lafayette
37.1
Foreign Born
Hattiesburg
N/A
Lafayette
6.6%
White
Hattiesburg
N/A
Lafayette
59.1%
Black
Hattiesburg
N/A
Lafayette
28.6%
Asian
Hattiesburg
N/A
Lafayette
2.1%
Hispanic
Hattiesburg
N/A
Lafayette
7.6%
Spanish at Home
Hattiesburg
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 121,537 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 37.1 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 6.6% | - |
| White | N/A | 59.1% | - |
| Black | N/A | 28.6% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 2.1% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 7.6% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hattiesburg
N/A
Lafayette
$61,454
Per Capita Income
Hattiesburg
N/A
Lafayette
$39,861
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hattiesburg
$46,995
Lafayette
$55,297
Lafayette +
Unemployment Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Lafayette
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Lafayette
19.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hattiesburg
N/A
Lafayette
40.6%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $61,454 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $39,861 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $55,297 | Lafayette + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.1% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 19.1% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 40.6% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hattiesburg
$221,516
Hattiesburg +
Lafayette
$225,222
Homeownership Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Lafayette
55.0%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $221,516 | $225,222 | Hattiesburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 55.0% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
247
Hattiesburg +
Lafayette
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
1808
Hattiesburg +
Lafayette
2824
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 643 | Hattiesburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 2824 | Hattiesburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
38.5%
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
13.6%
Hattiesburg +
Lafayette
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hattiesburg
20.3%
Lafayette
18.4%
Lafayette +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
12.9%
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
13.9%
Hattiesburg +
Lafayette
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
16.2%
Lafayette
16.1%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 34.5% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 14.0% | Hattiesburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 18.4% | Lafayette + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 8.3% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 17.8% | Hattiesburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.1% | Lafayette + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hattiesburg
66.0°F
Hattiesburg +
Lafayette
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hattiesburg
61.6 in
Lafayette
61.0 in
Lafayette +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.0°F | 67.6°F | Hattiesburg + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.6 in | 61.0 in | Lafayette + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
10.0 µg/m³
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Lafayette +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hattiesburg
55.0%
Lafayette
75.0%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Lafayette + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lafayette + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hattiesburg
N/A
Lafayette
21.5 min
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 21.5 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 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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