Hattiesburg MS vs Wichita Falls 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
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hattiesburg
N/A
Wichita Falls
102,558
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hattiesburg
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Hattiesburg
N/A
Wichita Falls
33.0
Foreign Born
Hattiesburg
N/A
Wichita Falls
7.2%
White
Hattiesburg
N/A
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Black
Hattiesburg
N/A
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Asian
Hattiesburg
N/A
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Hispanic
Hattiesburg
N/A
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Spanish at Home
Hattiesburg
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 102,558 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 33.0 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 7.2% | - |
| White | N/A | 70.1% | - |
| Black | N/A | 12.9% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 2.7% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 22.4% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hattiesburg
N/A
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Per Capita Income
Hattiesburg
N/A
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hattiesburg
$46,995
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Wichita Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Poverty Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hattiesburg
N/A
Wichita Falls
25.0%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $58,568 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $31,987 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $63,758 | Wichita Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 3.5% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 17.4% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 25.0% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hattiesburg
$221,516
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Wichita Falls
57.0%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $221,516 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 57.0% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
247
Hattiesburg +
Wichita Falls
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
1808
Hattiesburg +
Wichita Falls
2339
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Wichita Falls, 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%
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Wichita Falls +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
13.6%
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Wichita Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hattiesburg
20.3%
Wichita Falls
18.8%
Wichita Falls +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
12.9%
Hattiesburg +
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
13.9%
Hattiesburg +
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
16.2%
Wichita Falls
14.9%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 35.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.6% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 18.8% | Wichita Falls + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 16.9% | Hattiesburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 17.8% | Hattiesburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.9% | Wichita Falls + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hattiesburg
66.0°F
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Wichita Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hattiesburg
61.6 in
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.0°F | 63.4°F | Wichita Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.6 in | 28.9 in | Wichita Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
10.0 µg/m³
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Wichita Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hattiesburg
55.0%
Wichita Falls
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Wichita Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hattiesburg
N/A
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 15.8 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Hattiesburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 247 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Wichita Falls. Wichita Falls has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wichita Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
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