Hattiesburg MS vs Tuscaloosa AL — 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
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hattiesburg
N/A
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hattiesburg
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Hattiesburg
N/A
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Foreign Born
Hattiesburg
N/A
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Hattiesburg
N/A
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Hattiesburg
N/A
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Asian
Hattiesburg
N/A
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Hattiesburg
N/A
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Hattiesburg
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 107,699 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 28.2 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 4.7% | - |
| White | N/A | 49.6% | - |
| Black | N/A | 42.8% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 2.6% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 5.2% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hattiesburg
N/A
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Hattiesburg
N/A
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hattiesburg
$46,995
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Tuscaloosa +
Unemployment Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hattiesburg
N/A
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $48,536 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $31,324 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $51,690 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 7.0% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 23.8% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 38.1% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hattiesburg
$221,516
Hattiesburg +
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Homeownership Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $221,516 | $231,461 | Hattiesburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 45.1% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
247
Hattiesburg +
Tuscaloosa
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
1808
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 400 | Hattiesburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
38.5%
Hattiesburg +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
13.6%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hattiesburg
20.3%
Hattiesburg +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
12.9%
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Tuscaloosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
13.9%
Hattiesburg +
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
16.2%
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 42.6% | Hattiesburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 21.3% | Hattiesburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.5% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 15.1% | Hattiesburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hattiesburg
66.0°F
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Tuscaloosa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hattiesburg
61.6 in
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.0°F | 65.0°F | Tuscaloosa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.6 in | 55.0 in | Tuscaloosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
10.0 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hattiesburg
55.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tuscaloosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hattiesburg
N/A
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 20.0 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 400 in Tuscaloosa. Tuscaloosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hattiesburg scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.5%.
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