Cincinnati vs Hattiesburg
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Cincinnati
Hattiesburg
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 18.2%, with Hattiesburg being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Cincinnati has equivalent purchasing power to $63,462 in Hattiesburg.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Cincinnati has the same purchasing power as $63,462 in Hattiesburg.
Conversely, $75,000 in Hattiesburg equals $88,636 in Cincinnati.
Living in Cincinnati vs Hattiesburg
Housing Costs
Cincinnati's housing index of 76 is higher Hattiesburg's 52, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $170,000. The $25,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,620 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Cincinnati compared to $875/mo in Hattiesburg, a monthly difference of $225.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Cincinnati and 97 in Hattiesburg. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Cincinnati 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 93 in Cincinnati and 93 in Hattiesburg. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Cincinnati vs $372 in Hattiesburg. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 96 in Cincinnati 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 $44,003 in Cincinnati and $44,100 in Hattiesburg. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $48,355 and $57,273 respectively. Hattiesburg residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,027/month to housing in Cincinnati vs $1,029/month in Hattiesburg. In Cincinnati, median rent of $1,100/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Hattiesburg, median rent of $875/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 24 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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