Dayton vs Hattiesburg
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Dayton
Hattiesburg
The Verdict
Hattiesburg is 3.9% less expensive than Dayton overall. A household earning $75,000 in Dayton would need approximately $72,188 in Hattiesburg to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Dayton has the same purchasing power as $72,188 in Hattiesburg.
Conversely, $75,000 in Hattiesburg equals $77,922 in Dayton.
Living in Dayton vs Hattiesburg
Housing Costs
Dayton's housing index of 46 is lower Hattiesburg's 52, translating to median home prices of $135,000 vs $170,000. The $35,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,280 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Dayton compared to $875/mo in Hattiesburg, a monthly difference of $25.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Dayton and 97 in Hattiesburg. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Dayton 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 109 in Dayton and 93 in Hattiesburg. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Dayton 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 114 in Dayton 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 $43,500 in Dayton and $44,100 in Hattiesburg. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,375 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 $1,015/month to housing in Dayton vs $1,029/month in Hattiesburg. In Dayton, median rent of $900/mo fits within this budget. In Hattiesburg, median rent of $875/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 16 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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