Hattiesburg MS vs Salem OR — 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
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hattiesburg
N/A
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hattiesburg
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Hattiesburg
N/A
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Hattiesburg
N/A
Salem
12.2%
White
Hattiesburg
N/A
Salem
69.8%
Black
Hattiesburg
N/A
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Hattiesburg
N/A
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Hattiesburg
N/A
Salem
23.4%
Spanish at Home
Hattiesburg
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 176,666 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 35.7 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 12.2% | - |
| White | N/A | 69.8% | - |
| Black | N/A | 1.6% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 3.5% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 23.4% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hattiesburg
N/A
Salem
$71,900
Per Capita Income
Hattiesburg
N/A
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hattiesburg
$46,995
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Salem
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hattiesburg
N/A
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $71,900 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $36,477 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $63,691 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.3% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 14.7% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 31.4% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hattiesburg
$221,516
Hattiesburg +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $221,516 | $438,754 | Hattiesburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 55.7% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
247
Hattiesburg +
Salem
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
1808
Hattiesburg +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 355 | Hattiesburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 3001 | Hattiesburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
38.5%
Hattiesburg +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
13.6%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hattiesburg
20.3%
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
12.9%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
13.9%
Hattiesburg +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
16.2%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 41.4% | Hattiesburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 18.8% | Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 16.2% | Hattiesburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hattiesburg
66.0°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hattiesburg
61.6 in
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.0°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.6 in | 39.7 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
10.0 µg/m³
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hattiesburg
55.0%
Salem
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hattiesburg
N/A
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 24.5 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 355 in Salem. Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hattiesburg scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.5%.
Compare More Cities
Hattiesburg, MS vs New York, NYHattiesburg, MS vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Hattiesburg, MSHattiesburg, MS vs Houston, TXHattiesburg, MS vs Phoenix, AZHattiesburg, MS vs Philadelphia, PA