Hattiesburg is a small city of 48,466 in Mississippi, with a median household income of $41,024
and a 7.8% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 89 (US average = 100), which is
11% below the national average.
Strengths:
Hattiesburg stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B+), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Hattiesburg is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Hattiesburg city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 89.3
Hattiesburg's overall cost of living index is 89.3,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Hattiesburg costs roughly 11% less than the average American city.
Metric
Hattiesburg, MS
National Avg
Median Home Value
$146,600
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$936
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
35.9%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$41,024
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Near National Average
Hattiesburg's violent crime rate is 221.5 per 100,000 residents
— 42% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
221.5 /100k
Property Crime
3465.3 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Hattiesburg is served primarily by Hattiesburg.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.1:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Hattiesburg, MS
National Avg
School District
Hattiesburg
—
Elementary Schools
5
—
Middle Schools
2
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
13.1:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
35.0%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
88.8%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Hattiesburg sees average highs of 59.7°F in January
and 91.2°F in July,
with 61.7 inches of annual precipitation
and 0.9 inches of snow per year.
Hattiesburg's cost of living index is 89, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Hattiesburg roughly 11% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $146,600 and median rent is $936/month.
Hattiesburg's violent crime rate is 221.5 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 3465.3 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Hattiesburg are operated by Hattiesburg.
The district has 5 elementary, 2 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.1:1. 35.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Hattiesburg, MS has a population of 48,466, a median household income of $41,024, and an unemployment rate of 7.8%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Hattiesburg averages 59.7°F in January and 91.2°F in July. Annual rainfall is 61.7 inches
with about 0.9 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Hattiesburg, MS is covered by 3 ZIP codes: 39401, 39402, 39406.
The population of Hattiesburg, Mississippi is 48,466 with a median age of 28.5. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Hattiesburg: cost of living index 89 (100 = US average), median home $146,600, median household income $41,024, crime index 101 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Hattiesburg side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
.jpg)