Cranston vs Hattiesburg
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Cranston
Hattiesburg
The Verdict
Living in Hattiesburg costs 41.6% less than Cranston. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Cranston, you would need $52,982 in Hattiesburg.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Cranston has the same purchasing power as $52,982 in Hattiesburg.
Conversely, $75,000 in Hattiesburg equals $106,169 in Cranston.
Living in Cranston vs Hattiesburg
Housing Costs
Cranston's housing index of 135 is higher Hattiesburg's 52, translating to median home prices of $395,000 vs $170,000. The $225,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,628 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Cranston compared to $875/mo in Hattiesburg, a monthly difference of $500.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 103 in Cranston and 97 in Hattiesburg. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Cranston vs $461/month in Hattiesburg. Hattiesburg offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 113 in Cranston and 93 in Hattiesburg. Monthly utility bills average approximately $452 in Cranston vs $372 in Hattiesburg. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 110 in Cranston 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 $90,200 in Cranston and $44,100 in Hattiesburg. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $82,752 and $57,273 respectively. Cranston residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,105/month to housing in Cranston vs $1,029/month in Hattiesburg. In Cranston, median rent of $1,375/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 83 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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