Hattiesburg MS vs Worcester MA — 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
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hattiesburg
N/A
Worcester
205,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hattiesburg
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Hattiesburg
N/A
Worcester
34.1
Foreign Born
Hattiesburg
N/A
Worcester
23.2%
White
Hattiesburg
N/A
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Hattiesburg
N/A
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Hattiesburg
N/A
Worcester
6.9%
Hispanic
Hattiesburg
N/A
Worcester
24.9%
Spanish at Home
Hattiesburg
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 205,501 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 34.1 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 23.2% | - |
| White | N/A | 58.0% | - |
| Black | N/A | 12.1% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 6.9% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 24.9% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hattiesburg
N/A
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Hattiesburg
N/A
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hattiesburg
$46,995
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hattiesburg
N/A
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $67,544 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $35,825 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 6.4% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 19.8% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 34.1% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hattiesburg
$221,516
Hattiesburg +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Hattiesburg
N/A
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $221,516 | $435,532 | Hattiesburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 42.4% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
247
Hattiesburg +
Worcester
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
1808
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 326 | Hattiesburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
38.5%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
13.6%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hattiesburg
20.3%
Worcester
19.9%
Worcester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
12.9%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
13.9%
Hattiesburg +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hattiesburg
16.2%
Worcester
14.5%
Worcester +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 19.9% | Worcester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 17.1% | Hattiesburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.5% | Worcester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hattiesburg
66.0°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hattiesburg
61.6 in
Worcester
48.1 in
Worcester +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.0°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.6 in | 48.1 in | Worcester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hattiesburg
10.0 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hattiesburg
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hattiesburg
N/A
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Hattiesburg, MS | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 27.3 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 326 in Worcester. Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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