Hattiesburg MS vs Meridian ID — 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
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hattiesburg
N/A
Meridian
124,865
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hattiesburg
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Hattiesburg
N/A
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Hattiesburg
N/A
Meridian
4.8%
White
Hattiesburg
N/A
Meridian
84.3%
Black
Hattiesburg
N/A
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Hattiesburg
N/A
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Hattiesburg
N/A
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Hattiesburg
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 124,865 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 37.4 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 4.8% | - |
| White | N/A | 84.3% | - |
| Black | N/A | 1.6% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 2.1% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 9.5% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hattiesburg
N/A
Meridian
$98,686
Per Capita Income
Hattiesburg
N/A
Meridian
$47,751
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hattiesburg
$46,995
Meridian
$57,074
Meridian +
Unemployment Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Meridian
2.4%
Poverty Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Meridian
6.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hattiesburg
N/A
Meridian
44.4%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $98,686 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $47,751 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $57,074 | Meridian + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 2.4% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 6.2% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 44.4% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hattiesburg
$221,516
Hattiesburg +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Meridian
76.1%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $221,516 | $534,732 | Hattiesburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 76.1% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
247
Hattiesburg +
Meridian
251
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
1808
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 251 | Hattiesburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
38.5%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
13.6%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hattiesburg
20.3%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
12.9%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
13.9%
Hattiesburg +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
16.2%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 17.6% | Hattiesburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hattiesburg
66.0°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hattiesburg
61.6 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
10.0 µg/m³
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hattiesburg
55.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Meridian +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Meridian + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hattiesburg
N/A
Meridian
23.6 min
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 23.6 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 251 in Meridian. Meridian has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
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