Hattiesburg MS vs Waco TX — 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
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hattiesburg
N/A
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hattiesburg
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Hattiesburg
N/A
Waco
29.2
Foreign Born
Hattiesburg
N/A
Waco
9.8%
White
Hattiesburg
N/A
Waco
54.0%
Black
Hattiesburg
N/A
Waco
20.4%
Asian
Hattiesburg
N/A
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Hattiesburg
N/A
Waco
29.9%
Spanish at Home
Hattiesburg
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 141,925 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 29.2 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 9.8% | - |
| White | N/A | 54.0% | - |
| Black | N/A | 20.4% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 2.0% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 29.9% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hattiesburg
N/A
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Hattiesburg
N/A
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hattiesburg
$46,995
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Waco
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hattiesburg
N/A
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $51,468 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $28,819 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.4% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 24.0% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 28.6% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hattiesburg
$221,516
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $221,516 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 48.9% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
247
Hattiesburg +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
1808
Hattiesburg +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 442 | Hattiesburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 2339 | Hattiesburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
38.5%
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
13.6%
Waco
13.0%
Waco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hattiesburg
20.3%
Hattiesburg +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
12.9%
Hattiesburg +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
13.9%
Hattiesburg +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
16.2%
Waco
15.1%
Waco +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 36.8% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 13.0% | Waco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 20.4% | Hattiesburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 20.4% | Hattiesburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 16.2% | Hattiesburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.1% | Waco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hattiesburg
66.0°F
Hattiesburg +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hattiesburg
61.6 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.0°F | 66.6°F | Hattiesburg + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.6 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
10.0 µg/m³
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Waco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hattiesburg
55.0%
Waco
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Waco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hattiesburg
N/A
Waco
19.7 min
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 19.7 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Hattiesburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 247 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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