Hattiesburg MS vs Philadelphia PA — 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
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hattiesburg
N/A
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hattiesburg
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Hattiesburg
N/A
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
Hattiesburg
N/A
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
Hattiesburg
N/A
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Hattiesburg
N/A
Philadelphia
39.9%
Asian
Hattiesburg
N/A
Philadelphia
7.8%
Hispanic
Hattiesburg
N/A
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Hattiesburg
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 1,582,432 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 35.1 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 14.6% | - |
| White | N/A | 36.1% | - |
| Black | N/A | 39.9% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 7.8% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 15.2% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hattiesburg
N/A
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Hattiesburg
N/A
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hattiesburg
$46,995
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hattiesburg
N/A
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $60,698 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $37,669 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 8.4% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 22.0% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 34.6% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hattiesburg
$221,516
Hattiesburg +
Philadelphia
$233,814
Homeownership Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $221,516 | $233,814 | Hattiesburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 52.3% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
247
Hattiesburg +
Philadelphia
319
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
1808
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 319 | Hattiesburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
38.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
13.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hattiesburg
20.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
12.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
13.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
16.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hattiesburg
66.0°F
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hattiesburg
61.6 in
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.0°F | 57.1°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.6 in | 48.5 in | Philadelphia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
10.0 µg/m³
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Philadelphia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hattiesburg
55.0%
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Philadelphia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hattiesburg
N/A
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 34.5 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 319 in Philadelphia. Philadelphia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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