Hattiesburg MS vs Tampa FL — 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
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hattiesburg
N/A
Tampa
393,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hattiesburg
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Hattiesburg
N/A
Tampa
35.6
Foreign Born
Hattiesburg
N/A
Tampa
19.0%
White
Hattiesburg
N/A
Tampa
51.8%
Black
Hattiesburg
N/A
Tampa
21.3%
Asian
Hattiesburg
N/A
Tampa
4.8%
Hispanic
Hattiesburg
N/A
Tampa
26.2%
Spanish at Home
Hattiesburg
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 393,389 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 35.6 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 19.0% | - |
| White | N/A | 51.8% | - |
| Black | N/A | 21.3% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 4.8% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 26.2% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hattiesburg
N/A
Tampa
$71,302
Per Capita Income
Hattiesburg
N/A
Tampa
$49,513
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hattiesburg
$46,995
Tampa
$65,328
Tampa +
Unemployment Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Tampa
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Tampa
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hattiesburg
N/A
Tampa
44.6%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $71,302 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $49,513 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $65,328 | Tampa + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.7% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 15.9% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 44.6% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hattiesburg
$221,516
Hattiesburg +
Tampa
$376,530
Homeownership Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Tampa
50.2%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $221,516 | $376,530 | Hattiesburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 50.2% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
247
Hattiesburg +
Tampa
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
1808
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 324 | Hattiesburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
38.5%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
13.6%
Tampa
12.5%
Tampa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hattiesburg
20.3%
Tampa
17.4%
Tampa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
12.9%
Hattiesburg +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
13.9%
Hattiesburg +
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
16.2%
Tampa
12.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.5% | Tampa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 17.4% | Tampa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.9% | Hattiesburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 16.7% | Hattiesburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 12.6% | Tampa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hattiesburg
66.0°F
Hattiesburg +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hattiesburg
61.6 in
Tampa
46.3 in
Tampa +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.0°F | 73.4°F | Hattiesburg + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.6 in | 46.3 in | Tampa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
10.0 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hattiesburg
55.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tampa +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tampa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hattiesburg
N/A
Tampa
26.8 min
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 26.8 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 324 in Tampa. Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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