Signals
Hattiesburg
Tupelo
Growth
33 · Bottom 24%
vs39 · Bottom 32%
Climate
77 · Top 12%
vs71 · Top 33%
Physical resilience
51 · Bottom 44%
vs68 · Top 32%
Housing affordability
93 · Bottom 45%
vs100 · Top 27%
Access
66 · Bottom 31%
vs60 · Bottom 21%
Economic stability
45 · Bottom 43%
vs43 · Bottom 40%
Measured values
| Metric | Hattiesburg | Tupelo | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 155,434 | 132,254 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $60,285 | $63,170 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $34,172 | $33,987 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 97/sq mi | 95/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $191,200 | $170,600 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,014 | $878 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 64.3% | 73.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.9% | 24.6% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 18.0% | 15.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 113 | 176 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 0.7 | 1.3 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -13.1% | 6.7% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 92°F | 92°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 38°F | 34°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 58.9" | 57.7" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 58 mi | 65 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 24.6 min | 24.0 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 35.5 | 37.8 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Hattiesburg
Elevated or high exposure: hurricane.
Tupelo
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
Your best match
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Hattiesburg
59
Your Score
58
Area Score
Tupelo
64
Your Score
—
Area Score
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Full profiles: Hattiesburg, MS Metro Area · Tupelo, MS Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology