Hattiesburg vs Jackson
Compare Hattiesburg, MS and Jackson, MS on cost, HUD rent, safety, climate, commute, schools, outdoor access, food, and source-labeled relocation data.
The verdict
Housing costs are close: ACS median rent is $939/mo in Hattiesburg and $1,012/mo in Jackson, with HUD 2-bedroom benchmarks of $1,101/mo and $1,159/mo. Across the four public-data screens (cost/climate, work, daily life, community) the metros land close together (229 vs 236 summed points), so the right pick depends on which tradeoffs you can live with.
Their climates screen similarly — summer highs near 92°F and 92°F respectively. If lower housing cost leads your list, start with Hattiesburg; if walkable daily life matters more, Hattiesburg screens stronger on the walkability proxy (4 vs 2). These are metro-level public-data screens — verify neighborhoods, school districts, commutes, and actual listings before deciding.
Category summary
Both cities are close on the cost and climate screen.
Both cities are close on the work screen.
Both cities are close on the daily life screen.
Jackson leads 60 to 51 on the community screen.
$85,000 in Hattiesburg is roughly $56,667 in Jackson using WhereToThrive's cost index and state-tax adjustment.
Category comparison
| Metric | Hattiesburg | Jackson | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACS median gross rent | $939/mo | $1,012/mo | Hattiesburg |
| HUD 2BR FMR | $1,101/mo | $1,159/mo | Hattiesburg |
| Median home value | $160,000 | $176,000 | Hattiesburg |
| State income tax | 4% | 4% | Tie |
| Average commute | 24.9 min | 26.8 min | Hattiesburg |
| Safety score | 62/100 | 60/100 | Hattiesburg |
| School score | 4/10 | 6/10 | Jackson |
| Walkability estimate | 4/100 | 2/100 | Hattiesburg |
| Outdoor score | 5/10 | 5/10 | Tie |
| Restaurants per 100k | 178.9 | 185.7 | Jackson |
| Mountain distance | 121 mi | 121 mi | Tie |
| Coast distance | 65 mi | 134 mi | Hattiesburg |
What stands out
Hattiesburg stronger signals
- Public park/protected-area signal within 1 miles
- Coast access within 65 miles
- More affordable than many peer metros
- Shorter average commute
Hattiesburg tradeoffs
- Higher natural disaster risk
Jackson stronger signals
- Public park/protected-area signal within 1 miles
- More affordable than many peer metros
- Shorter average commute
Jackson tradeoffs
- Higher natural disaster risk
Common questions
Is Hattiesburg cheaper than Jackson?
On public benchmarks Hattiesburg is the cheaper metro: ACS median rent is $939/mo in Hattiesburg vs $1,012/mo in Jackson; HUD 2-bedroom Fair Market Rents are $1,101/mo vs $1,159/mo; state income tax is 4% vs 4%.
Is Hattiesburg or Jackson safer?
Hattiesburg screens safer at the metro level: safety scores are 62/100 for Hattiesburg and 60/100 for Jackson (FBI-reported metro rates; neighborhood variation is larger than metro averages).
Which is better for families, Hattiesburg or Jackson?
School screens show 4/10 for Hattiesburg vs 6/10 for Jackson, alongside the safety scores above. It is a metro-level screen; verify specific school districts before weighting it heavily.
How different is the climate between Hattiesburg and Jackson?
Hattiesburg: summer highs near 92°F, winter lows near 32°F, disaster-risk band 3/3. Jackson: 92°F / 33°F, disaster-risk band 3/3 (NOAA climate normals).
Keep researching
Score this comparison with your own constraints
Public comparison pages use equal-weighted signals. The questionnaire reweights cities around your housing budget, climate preferences, work needs, family needs, and daily-life priorities.
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