Hattiesburg MS vs Paterson NJ — 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
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hattiesburg
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hattiesburg
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Hattiesburg
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Hattiesburg
N/A
Paterson
N/A
White
Hattiesburg
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Black
Hattiesburg
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Hattiesburg
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Hattiesburg
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Hattiesburg
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | N/A | - |
| White | N/A | N/A | - |
| Black | N/A | N/A | - |
| Asian | N/A | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hattiesburg
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Hattiesburg
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hattiesburg
$46,995
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Hattiesburg
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hattiesburg
$221,516
Hattiesburg +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $221,516 | $527,542 | Hattiesburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
247
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
1808
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
38.5%
Paterson
37.5%
Paterson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
13.6%
Hattiesburg +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hattiesburg
20.3%
Paterson
18.6%
Paterson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
12.9%
Hattiesburg +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
13.9%
Hattiesburg +
Paterson
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
16.2%
Hattiesburg +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 37.5% | Paterson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 16.1% | Hattiesburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 18.6% | Paterson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 28.6% | Hattiesburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.3% | Hattiesburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.4% | Hattiesburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hattiesburg
66.0°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hattiesburg
61.6 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Paterson, NJ | 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
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Paterson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hattiesburg
55.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Paterson +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Paterson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Paterson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hattiesburg
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Hattiesburg offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $221,516. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 247 in Hattiesburg. Paterson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Paterson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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