Hattiesburg MS vs Wilmington NC — 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, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hattiesburg
N/A
Wilmington
250,887
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hattiesburg
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Hattiesburg
N/A
Wilmington
35.6
Foreign Born
Hattiesburg
N/A
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Hattiesburg
N/A
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Hattiesburg
N/A
Wilmington
32.4%
Asian
Hattiesburg
N/A
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Hattiesburg
N/A
Wilmington
17.9%
Spanish at Home
Hattiesburg
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 250,887 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 35.6 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 10.7% | - |
| White | N/A | 48.7% | - |
| Black | N/A | 32.4% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 2.3% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 17.9% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hattiesburg
N/A
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Hattiesburg
N/A
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hattiesburg
$46,995
Wilmington
$59,120
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hattiesburg
N/A
Wilmington
37.2%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $57,673 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $35,074 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $59,120 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.9% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 17.9% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 37.2% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hattiesburg
$221,516
Hattiesburg +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Wilmington
54.6%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $221,516 | $419,326 | Hattiesburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 54.6% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
247
Hattiesburg +
Wilmington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
1808
Hattiesburg +
Wilmington
1999
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 398 | Hattiesburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1999 | Hattiesburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
38.5%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
13.6%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hattiesburg
20.3%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
12.9%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
13.9%
Hattiesburg +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
16.2%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 17.5% | Hattiesburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hattiesburg
66.0°F
Wilmington
63.8°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hattiesburg
61.6 in
Wilmington
58.4 in
Wilmington +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.0°F | 63.8°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.6 in | 58.4 in | Wilmington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
10.0 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hattiesburg
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hattiesburg
N/A
Wilmington
23.2 min
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 23.2 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 398 in Wilmington. Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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