Hattiesburg MS vs Odessa TX — 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
Odessa, TX
Texas · Population: 114,080
- Median HH Income$73,030
- Median Home Price$253,423
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hattiesburg
N/A
Odessa
114,080
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hattiesburg
N/A
Odessa
N/A
Median Age
Hattiesburg
N/A
Odessa
31.0
Foreign Born
Hattiesburg
N/A
Odessa
14.5%
White
Hattiesburg
N/A
Odessa
51.9%
Black
Hattiesburg
N/A
Odessa
6.8%
Asian
Hattiesburg
N/A
Odessa
1.9%
Hispanic
Hattiesburg
N/A
Odessa
61.2%
Spanish at Home
Hattiesburg
N/A
Odessa
N/A
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 114,080 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 31.0 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 14.5% | - |
| White | N/A | 51.9% | - |
| Black | N/A | 6.8% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 1.9% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 61.2% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hattiesburg
N/A
Odessa
$73,030
Per Capita Income
Hattiesburg
N/A
Odessa
$35,655
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hattiesburg
$46,995
Odessa
$63,758
Odessa +
Unemployment Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Odessa
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Odessa
14.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hattiesburg
N/A
Odessa
18.3%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $73,030 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $35,655 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $63,758 | Odessa + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.5% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 14.4% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 18.3% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hattiesburg
$221,516
Hattiesburg +
Odessa
$253,423
Homeownership Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Odessa
59.2%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $221,516 | $253,423 | Hattiesburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 59.2% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
247
Hattiesburg +
Odessa
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
1808
Hattiesburg +
Odessa
2339
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 442 | Hattiesburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 2339 | Hattiesburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
38.5%
Hattiesburg +
Odessa
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
13.6%
Odessa
12.9%
Odessa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hattiesburg
20.3%
Odessa
18.0%
Odessa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
12.9%
Hattiesburg +
Odessa
25.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
13.9%
Hattiesburg +
Odessa
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
16.2%
Odessa
14.0%
Odessa +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 39.4% | Hattiesburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.9% | Odessa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 18.0% | Odessa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 25.4% | Hattiesburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 18.1% | Hattiesburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.0% | Odessa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hattiesburg
66.0°F
Odessa
65.6°F
Odessa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hattiesburg
61.6 in
Odessa
13.5 in
Odessa +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.0°F | 65.6°F | Odessa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.6 in | 13.5 in | Odessa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
10.0 µg/m³
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Odessa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hattiesburg
55.0%
Odessa
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Odessa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hattiesburg
N/A
Odessa
23.7 min
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 23.7 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 442 in Odessa. Odessa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hattiesburg scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.5%.
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