Boise vs Hattiesburg
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Boise
Hattiesburg
The Verdict
Living in Hattiesburg costs 37.7% less than Boise. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Boise, you would need $54,481 in Hattiesburg.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Boise has the same purchasing power as $54,481 in Hattiesburg.
Conversely, $75,000 in Hattiesburg equals $103,247 in Boise.
Living in Boise vs Hattiesburg
Housing Costs
Boise's housing index of 118 is higher Hattiesburg's 52, translating to median home prices of $420,000 vs $170,000. The $250,000 difference in home prices means roughly $16,248 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Boise compared to $875/mo in Hattiesburg, a monthly difference of $525.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Boise and 97 in Hattiesburg. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Boise 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 89 in Boise and 93 in Hattiesburg. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Boise vs $372 in Hattiesburg. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 98 in Boise and 106 in Hattiesburg. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $60,818 in Boise and $44,100 in Hattiesburg. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,375 and $57,273 respectively. Boise residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,419/month to housing in Boise vs $1,029/month in Hattiesburg. In Boise, median rent of $1,400/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 66 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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