Hattiesburg MS vs Wilmington DE — 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
Wilmington, DE
Delaware · Population: 71,124
- Median HH Income$55,269
- Median Home Price$327,117
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hattiesburg
N/A
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hattiesburg
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Hattiesburg
N/A
Wilmington
37.0
Foreign Born
Hattiesburg
N/A
Wilmington
8.3%
White
Hattiesburg
N/A
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
Hattiesburg
N/A
Wilmington
52.3%
Asian
Hattiesburg
N/A
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
Hattiesburg
N/A
Wilmington
11.8%
Spanish at Home
Hattiesburg
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 71,124 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 37.0 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 8.3% | - |
| White | N/A | 32.4% | - |
| Black | N/A | 52.3% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 1.6% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 11.8% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hattiesburg
N/A
Wilmington
$55,269
Per Capita Income
Hattiesburg
N/A
Wilmington
$38,786
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hattiesburg
$46,995
Wilmington
$64,087
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Wilmington
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Wilmington
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hattiesburg
N/A
Wilmington
33.1%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $55,269 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $38,786 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $64,087 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 7.6% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 23.2% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 33.1% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hattiesburg
$221,516
Hattiesburg +
Wilmington
$327,117
Homeownership Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Wilmington
46.0%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $221,516 | $327,117 | Hattiesburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 46.0% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
247
Hattiesburg +
Wilmington
394
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
1808
Hattiesburg +
Wilmington
1991
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 394 | Hattiesburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1991 | Hattiesburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
38.5%
Hattiesburg +
Wilmington
41.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
13.6%
Hattiesburg +
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hattiesburg
20.3%
Wilmington
18.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
12.9%
Wilmington
12.7%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
13.9%
Wilmington
13.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
16.2%
Hattiesburg +
Wilmington
16.4%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 41.0% | Hattiesburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 16.0% | Hattiesburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 18.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.7% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 13.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.4% | Hattiesburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hattiesburg
66.0°F
Wilmington
54.4°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hattiesburg
61.6 in
Wilmington
49.3 in
Wilmington +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.0°F | 54.4°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.6 in | 49.3 in | Wilmington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
10.0 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hattiesburg
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hattiesburg
N/A
Wilmington
25.0 min
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 25.0 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 394 in Wilmington. Wilmington 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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