Hattiesburg MS vs Milwaukee WI — 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
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hattiesburg
N/A
Milwaukee
569,756
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hattiesburg
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Hattiesburg
N/A
Milwaukee
32.2
Foreign Born
Hattiesburg
N/A
Milwaukee
10.8%
White
Hattiesburg
N/A
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Hattiesburg
N/A
Milwaukee
38.6%
Asian
Hattiesburg
N/A
Milwaukee
4.8%
Hispanic
Hattiesburg
N/A
Milwaukee
20.7%
Spanish at Home
Hattiesburg
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 569,756 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 32.2 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 10.8% | - |
| White | N/A | 36.5% | - |
| Black | N/A | 38.6% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 4.8% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 20.7% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hattiesburg
N/A
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Hattiesburg
N/A
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hattiesburg
$46,995
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
Unemployment Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Milwaukee
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hattiesburg
N/A
Milwaukee
26.6%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $51,888 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $29,679 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $61,837 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.9% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 23.3% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 26.6% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hattiesburg
$221,516
Hattiesburg +
Milwaukee
$226,456
Homeownership Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $221,516 | $226,456 | Hattiesburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 41.5% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
247
Hattiesburg +
Milwaukee
309
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
1808
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 309 | Hattiesburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
38.5%
Hattiesburg +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
13.6%
Hattiesburg +
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hattiesburg
20.3%
Milwaukee
19.1%
Milwaukee +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
12.9%
Hattiesburg +
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
13.9%
Hattiesburg +
Milwaukee
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
16.2%
Hattiesburg +
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 41.8% | Hattiesburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 14.7% | Hattiesburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 19.1% | Milwaukee + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.1% | Hattiesburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 16.3% | Hattiesburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 17.3% | Hattiesburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hattiesburg
66.0°F
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hattiesburg
61.6 in
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.0°F | 47.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.6 in | 35.5 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
10.0 µg/m³
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Milwaukee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hattiesburg
55.0%
Milwaukee
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Milwaukee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hattiesburg
N/A
Milwaukee
24.1 min
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 24.1 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 309 in Milwaukee. Milwaukee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hattiesburg scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.5%.
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