Hattiesburg MS vs New Bedford MA — 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
New Bedford, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 100,731
- Median HH Income$56,025
- Median Home Price$439,767
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+16.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hattiesburg
N/A
New Bedford
100,731
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hattiesburg
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Hattiesburg
N/A
New Bedford
37.0
Foreign Born
Hattiesburg
N/A
New Bedford
20.7%
White
Hattiesburg
N/A
New Bedford
57.5%
Black
Hattiesburg
N/A
New Bedford
6.0%
Asian
Hattiesburg
N/A
New Bedford
1.5%
Hispanic
Hattiesburg
N/A
New Bedford
24.5%
Spanish at Home
Hattiesburg
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 100,731 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 37.0 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 20.7% | - |
| White | N/A | 57.5% | - |
| Black | N/A | 6.0% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 1.5% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 24.5% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hattiesburg
N/A
New Bedford
$56,025
Per Capita Income
Hattiesburg
N/A
New Bedford
$30,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hattiesburg
$46,995
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
New Bedford
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
New Bedford
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hattiesburg
N/A
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $56,025 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $30,475 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 7.6% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 19.9% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 16.8% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hattiesburg
$221,516
Hattiesburg +
New Bedford
$439,767
Homeownership Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $221,516 | $439,767 | Hattiesburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 40.0% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
247
Hattiesburg +
New Bedford
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
1808
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 326 | Hattiesburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
38.5%
New Bedford
36.3%
New Bedford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
13.6%
New Bedford
13.2%
New Bedford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hattiesburg
20.3%
Hattiesburg +
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
12.9%
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
13.9%
Hattiesburg +
New Bedford
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
16.2%
Hattiesburg +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 36.3% | New Bedford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 13.2% | New Bedford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 22.0% | Hattiesburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.1% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 16.0% | Hattiesburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 21.4% | Hattiesburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hattiesburg
66.0°F
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hattiesburg
61.6 in
New Bedford
51.9 in
New Bedford +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.0°F | 51.8°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.6 in | 51.9 in | New Bedford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
10.0 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hattiesburg
55.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
New Bedford +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Bedford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hattiesburg
N/A
New Bedford
27.2 min
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 27.2 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 326 in New Bedford. New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Bedford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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