Athens vs Hattiesburg
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Athens
Hattiesburg
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 14.3%, with Hattiesburg being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Athens has equivalent purchasing power to $65,625 in Hattiesburg.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Athens has the same purchasing power as $65,625 in Hattiesburg.
Conversely, $75,000 in Hattiesburg equals $85,714 in Athens.
Living in Athens vs Hattiesburg
Housing Costs
Athens's housing index of 78 is higher Hattiesburg's 52, translating to median home prices of $307,000 vs $170,000. The $137,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,904 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Athens compared to $875/mo in Hattiesburg, a monthly difference of $325.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Athens and 97 in Hattiesburg. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Athens vs $461/month in Hattiesburg. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 101 in Athens and 93 in Hattiesburg. Monthly utility bills average approximately $404 in Athens vs $372 in Hattiesburg. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 97 in Athens and 106 in Hattiesburg. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $56,700 in Athens and $44,100 in Hattiesburg. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,432 and $57,273 respectively. Athens residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,323/month to housing in Athens vs $1,029/month in Hattiesburg. In Athens, median rent of $1,200/mo fits within this budget. In Hattiesburg, median rent of $875/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 26 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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