Signals
Tupelo
Hattiesburg
Growth
39 · Bottom 32%
vs33 · Bottom 24%
Climate
71 · Top 33%
vs77 · Top 12%
Physical resilience
68 · Top 32%
vs51 · Bottom 44%
Housing affordability
100 · Top 27%
vs93 · Bottom 45%
Access
60 · Bottom 21%
vs66 · Bottom 31%
Economic stability
43 · Bottom 40%
vs45 · Bottom 43%
Measured values
| Metric | Tupelo | Hattiesburg | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,254 | 155,434 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $63,170 | $60,285 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $33,987 | $34,172 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 95/sq mi | 97/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $170,600 | $191,200 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $878 | $1,014 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 73.5% | 64.3% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.6% | 30.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 15.1% | 18.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 176 | 113 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 1.3 | 0.7 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 6.7% | -13.1% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 92°F | 92°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 34°F | 38°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 57.7" | 58.9" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 65 mi | 58 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 24.0 min | 24.6 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 37.8 | 35.5 | 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
Tupelo
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
Hattiesburg
Elevated or high exposure: hurricane.
Your best match
Weight what matters to you. Your preferences stay in this browser and never change either Area Score.
Tupelo
64
Your Score
—
Area Score
Hattiesburg
59
Your Score
58
Area Score
Select your priorities to see which of the two fits them better.
Full profiles: Tupelo, MS Micro Area · Hattiesburg, MS Metro Area · How this is calculated: methodology