Hattiesburg MS vs Norfolk VA — 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
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hattiesburg
N/A
Norfolk
235,037
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hattiesburg
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Hattiesburg
N/A
Norfolk
32.4
Foreign Born
Hattiesburg
N/A
Norfolk
7.7%
White
Hattiesburg
N/A
Norfolk
44.0%
Black
Hattiesburg
N/A
Norfolk
39.8%
Asian
Hattiesburg
N/A
Norfolk
3.7%
Hispanic
Hattiesburg
N/A
Norfolk
9.9%
Spanish at Home
Hattiesburg
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 235,037 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 32.4 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 7.7% | - |
| White | N/A | 44.0% | - |
| Black | N/A | 39.8% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 3.7% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 9.9% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hattiesburg
N/A
Norfolk
$64,017
Per Capita Income
Hattiesburg
N/A
Norfolk
$37,433
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hattiesburg
$46,995
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Norfolk
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Norfolk
17.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hattiesburg
N/A
Norfolk
32.7%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $64,017 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $37,433 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 6.1% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 17.3% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 32.7% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hattiesburg
$221,516
Hattiesburg +
Norfolk
$310,519
Homeownership Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $221,516 | $310,519 | Hattiesburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 45.7% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
247
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
1808
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1726 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
38.5%
Hattiesburg +
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
13.6%
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hattiesburg
20.3%
Norfolk
19.4%
Norfolk +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
12.9%
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
13.9%
Hattiesburg +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
16.2%
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 39.9% | Hattiesburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.4% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 19.4% | Norfolk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.9% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 17.1% | Hattiesburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 13.7% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hattiesburg
66.0°F
Norfolk
60.6°F
Norfolk +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hattiesburg
61.6 in
Norfolk
50.8 in
Norfolk +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.0°F | 60.6°F | Norfolk + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.6 in | 50.8 in | Norfolk + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
10.0 µg/m³
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hattiesburg
55.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Norfolk + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hattiesburg
N/A
Norfolk
24.4 min
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 24.4 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Hattiesburg offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $221,516. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 247 in Hattiesburg. Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hattiesburg scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.5%.
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