Hattiesburg MS vs Modesto 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
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hattiesburg
N/A
Modesto
218,614
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hattiesburg
N/A
Modesto
N/A
Median Age
Hattiesburg
N/A
Modesto
35.4
Foreign Born
Hattiesburg
N/A
Modesto
18.7%
White
Hattiesburg
N/A
Modesto
50.8%
Black
Hattiesburg
N/A
Modesto
4.7%
Asian
Hattiesburg
N/A
Modesto
7.4%
Hispanic
Hattiesburg
N/A
Modesto
43.9%
Spanish at Home
Hattiesburg
N/A
Modesto
N/A
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 218,614 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 35.4 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 18.7% | - |
| White | N/A | 50.8% | - |
| Black | N/A | 4.7% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 7.4% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 43.9% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hattiesburg
N/A
Modesto
$77,899
Per Capita Income
Hattiesburg
N/A
Modesto
$34,656
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hattiesburg
$46,995
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Unemployment Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Modesto
7.3%
Poverty Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Modesto
13.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hattiesburg
N/A
Modesto
20.3%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $77,899 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $34,656 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $77,230 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 7.3% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 13.0% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 20.3% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hattiesburg
$221,516
Hattiesburg +
Modesto
$447,353
Homeownership Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Modesto
58.4%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $221,516 | $447,353 | Hattiesburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 58.4% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
247
Hattiesburg +
Modesto
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
1808
Hattiesburg +
Modesto
2388
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Modesto, 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%
Modesto
36.2%
Modesto +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
13.6%
Modesto
12.1%
Modesto +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hattiesburg
20.3%
Modesto
19.0%
Modesto +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
12.9%
Hattiesburg +
Modesto
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
13.9%
Hattiesburg +
Modesto
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
16.2%
Modesto
13.7%
Modesto +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 36.2% | Modesto + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.1% | Modesto + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 19.0% | Modesto + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.0% | Hattiesburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 16.5% | Hattiesburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 13.7% | Modesto + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hattiesburg
66.0°F
Modesto
63.7°F
Modesto +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hattiesburg
61.6 in
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.0°F | 63.7°F | Modesto + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.6 in | 13.1 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
10.0 µg/m³
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hattiesburg
55.0%
Modesto
75.0%
Modesto +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Modesto + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hattiesburg
N/A
Modesto
30.5 min
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 30.5 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 503 in Modesto. Modesto has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Modesto scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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