Is Hattiesburg or Petal Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Petal is safer than Hattiesburg (Safety Score 92/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 522 per 100,000 versus 3,687 for Hattiesburg — 86% lower. Hattiesburg has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Petal has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Hattiesburg is 4.2x 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
Petal — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Hattiesburg, MS
Petal, MS
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Hattiesburg | Petal | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,686.8 | 521.5 | +3,165.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 221.5 | 130.4 | +91.1 |
| Murder Rate | 12.4 | 8.7 | +3.7 |
| Rape Rate | 39.3 | 52.2 | -12.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 33.1 | 0.0 | +33.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 136.6 | 69.5 | +67.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,465.3 | 391.1 | +3,074.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 370.6 | 147.8 | +222.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,873.3 | 208.6 | +2,664.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 221.5 | 34.8 | +186.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hattiesburg or Petal safer?
Petal is safer with a total crime rate of 522 per 100K vs 3,687 for Hattiesburg — a 86% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Hattiesburg has a violent crime rate of 221.5 per 100K while Petal has 130.4. Petal 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 Petal, MS
Petal, Mississippi, a city in Forrest County, was incorporated in 1960. Situated along the Leaf River, it is known for its family-friendly atmosphere and a population of over 11,000 residents. With a safety score of 92/100 and a population coverage of 11,505, Petal has a total crime rate of 521.5 per 100,000 residents.