Hattiesburg MS vs Lancaster CA — 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
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hattiesburg
N/A
Lancaster
170,013
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hattiesburg
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Hattiesburg
N/A
Lancaster
34.2
Foreign Born
Hattiesburg
N/A
Lancaster
13.9%
White
Hattiesburg
N/A
Lancaster
35.5%
Black
Hattiesburg
N/A
Lancaster
21.4%
Asian
Hattiesburg
N/A
Lancaster
4.0%
Hispanic
Hattiesburg
N/A
Lancaster
45.9%
Spanish at Home
Hattiesburg
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 170,013 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 34.2 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 13.9% | - |
| White | N/A | 35.5% | - |
| Black | N/A | 21.4% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 4.0% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 45.9% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hattiesburg
N/A
Lancaster
$76,083
Per Capita Income
Hattiesburg
N/A
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hattiesburg
$46,995
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Unemployment Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Lancaster
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Lancaster
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hattiesburg
N/A
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $76,083 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $29,766 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $77,230 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 7.1% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 15.5% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 20.1% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hattiesburg
$221,516
Hattiesburg +
Lancaster
$466,147
Homeownership Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Lancaster
58.4%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $221,516 | $466,147 | Hattiesburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 58.4% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
247
Hattiesburg +
Lancaster
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
1808
Hattiesburg +
Lancaster
2388
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 503 | Hattiesburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 2388 | Hattiesburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
38.5%
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
13.6%
Lancaster
12.6%
Lancaster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hattiesburg
20.3%
Lancaster
19.3%
Lancaster +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
12.9%
Lancaster
12.9%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
13.9%
Hattiesburg +
Lancaster
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
16.2%
Lancaster
14.0%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 30.6% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.6% | Lancaster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 19.3% | Lancaster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.9% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 15.8% | Hattiesburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.0% | Lancaster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hattiesburg
66.0°F
Lancaster
62.1°F
Lancaster +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hattiesburg
61.6 in
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.0°F | 62.1°F | Lancaster + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.6 in | 7.4 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
10.0 µg/m³
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hattiesburg
55.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lancaster + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hattiesburg
N/A
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 33.0 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 503 in Lancaster. Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
Compare More Cities
Hattiesburg, MS vs New York, NYHattiesburg, MS vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Hattiesburg, MSHattiesburg, MS vs Houston, TXHattiesburg, MS vs Phoenix, AZHattiesburg, MS vs Philadelphia, PA