Is Hattiesburg or Laurel Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Hattiesburg is safer than Laurel (Safety Score 11/100 vs 4/100), with a total crime rate of 3,687 per 100,000 versus 4,840 for Laurel — 24% lower. Hattiesburg has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Hattiesburg has a 79% lower rate.
Note: Hattiesburg is 2.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Hattiesburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Laurel — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Hattiesburg, MS
Laurel, MS
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Hattiesburg | Laurel | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,686.8 | 4,839.9 | -1,153.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 221.5 | 1,051.9 | -830.4 |
| Murder Rate | 12.4 | 23.6 | -11.2 |
| Rape Rate | 39.3 | 100.5 | -61.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 33.1 | 94.6 | -61.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 136.6 | 833.2 | -696.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,465.3 | 3,788.0 | -322.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 370.6 | 715.1 | -344.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,873.3 | 2,700.6 | +172.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 221.5 | 372.3 | -150.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hattiesburg or Laurel safer?
Hattiesburg is safer with a total crime rate of 3,687 per 100K vs 4,840 for Laurel — a 24% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Hattiesburg has a violent crime rate of 221.5 per 100K while Laurel has 1,051.9. Hattiesburg has lower violent crime.
About Hattiesburg, MS
Hattiesburg, "The Hub City," is a South Mississippi city founded in 1882 by William H. Hardy. It is home to the University of Southern Mississippi and lies at the intersection of several major highways, serving as a regional center. With a safety score of 11/100 and a population coverage of 48,307, Hattiesburg has a total crime rate of 3,686.8 per 100,000 residents.
About Laurel, MS
Laurel, Mississippi, a city in Jones County, is known for its historic downtown, featured in a popular home renovation show. Situated in the Pine Belt region, it has a population of around 18,000 residents. With a safety score of 4/100 and a population coverage of 16,922, Laurel has a total crime rate of 4,839.9 per 100,000 residents.