Hattiesburg MS vs Phoenix AZ — 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
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hattiesburg
N/A
Phoenix
1,624,832
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hattiesburg
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Hattiesburg
N/A
Phoenix
34.8
Foreign Born
Hattiesburg
N/A
Phoenix
19.0%
White
Hattiesburg
N/A
Phoenix
53.7%
Black
Hattiesburg
N/A
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Hattiesburg
N/A
Phoenix
3.9%
Hispanic
Hattiesburg
N/A
Phoenix
41.8%
Spanish at Home
Hattiesburg
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 1,624,832 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 34.8 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 19.0% | - |
| White | N/A | 53.7% | - |
| Black | N/A | 7.8% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 3.9% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 41.8% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hattiesburg
N/A
Phoenix
$77,041
Per Capita Income
Hattiesburg
N/A
Phoenix
$40,309
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hattiesburg
$46,995
Phoenix
$59,120
Phoenix +
Unemployment Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Phoenix
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Phoenix
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hattiesburg
N/A
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $77,041 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $40,309 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $59,120 | Phoenix + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.1% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 14.3% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 32.3% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hattiesburg
$221,516
Hattiesburg +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Phoenix
57.1%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $221,516 | $411,323 | Hattiesburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 57.1% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
247
Hattiesburg +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
1808
Hattiesburg +
Phoenix
2150
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 450 | Hattiesburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 2150 | Hattiesburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
38.5%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
13.6%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hattiesburg
20.3%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
12.9%
Hattiesburg +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
13.9%
Hattiesburg +
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
16.2%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 17.3% | Hattiesburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 16.3% | Hattiesburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hattiesburg
66.0°F
Hattiesburg +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hattiesburg
61.6 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.0°F | 72.1°F | Hattiesburg + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.6 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
10.0 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hattiesburg
55.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Phoenix + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hattiesburg
N/A
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 27.7 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 450 in Phoenix. Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
Compare More Cities
Hattiesburg, MS vs New York, NYHattiesburg, MS vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Hattiesburg, MSHattiesburg, MS vs Houston, TXHattiesburg, MS vs Philadelphia, PAHattiesburg, MS vs San Antonio, TX