Hattiesburg MS vs North Charleston SC — 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
North Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 117,460
- Median HH Income$62,789
- Median Home Price$313,219
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+28.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hattiesburg
N/A
North Charleston
117,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hattiesburg
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Hattiesburg
N/A
North Charleston
34.3
Foreign Born
Hattiesburg
N/A
North Charleston
12.2%
White
Hattiesburg
N/A
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Hattiesburg
N/A
North Charleston
42.2%
Asian
Hattiesburg
N/A
North Charleston
3.5%
Hispanic
Hattiesburg
N/A
North Charleston
12.8%
Spanish at Home
Hattiesburg
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 117,460 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 34.3 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 12.2% | - |
| White | N/A | 39.1% | - |
| Black | N/A | 42.2% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 3.5% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 12.8% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hattiesburg
N/A
North Charleston
$62,789
Per Capita Income
Hattiesburg
N/A
North Charleston
$35,740
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hattiesburg
$46,995
North Charleston
$54,550
North Charleston +
Unemployment Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
North Charleston
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
North Charleston
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hattiesburg
N/A
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $62,789 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $35,740 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $54,550 | North Charleston + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.3% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 15.5% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 28.0% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hattiesburg
$221,516
Hattiesburg +
North Charleston
$313,219
Homeownership Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
North Charleston
48.5%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $221,516 | $313,219 | Hattiesburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 48.5% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
247
Hattiesburg +
North Charleston
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
1808
Hattiesburg +
North Charleston
1999
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 398 | Hattiesburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1999 | Hattiesburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
38.5%
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
13.6%
North Charleston
13.2%
North Charleston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hattiesburg
20.3%
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
12.9%
Hattiesburg +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
13.9%
Hattiesburg +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
16.2%
North Charleston
14.3%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 35.2% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 13.2% | North Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 17.5% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.3% | Hattiesburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 19.8% | Hattiesburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.3% | North Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hattiesburg
66.0°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hattiesburg
61.6 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | North Charleston, SC | 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
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hattiesburg
55.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | North Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hattiesburg
N/A
North Charleston
26.8 min
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 26.8 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 398 in North Charleston. North Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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