Abilene vs Hattiesburg
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Abilene
Hattiesburg
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 3.9%, with Hattiesburg being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Abilene has equivalent purchasing power to $72,188 in Hattiesburg.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Abilene has the same purchasing power as $72,188 in Hattiesburg.
Conversely, $75,000 in Hattiesburg equals $77,922 in Abilene.
Living in Abilene vs Hattiesburg
Housing Costs
Abilene's housing index of 58 is higher Hattiesburg's 52, translating to median home prices of $179,000 vs $170,000. The $9,000 difference in home prices means roughly $588 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Abilene compared to $875/mo in Hattiesburg, a monthly difference of $75.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 91 in Abilene and 97 in Hattiesburg. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $432/month in Abilene vs $461/month in Hattiesburg. Abilene offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Abilene and 93 in Hattiesburg. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Abilene vs $372 in Hattiesburg. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 96 in Abilene and 106 in Hattiesburg. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $62,600 in Abilene and $44,100 in Hattiesburg. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $78,250 and $57,273 respectively. Abilene residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,461/month to housing in Abilene vs $1,029/month in Hattiesburg. In Abilene, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Hattiesburg, median rent of $875/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 10 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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