Erie vs Hattiesburg
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Erie
Hattiesburg
The Verdict
Hattiesburg is 5.2% less expensive than Erie overall. A household earning $75,000 in Erie would need approximately $71,296 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 Erie has the same purchasing power as $71,296 in Hattiesburg.
Conversely, $75,000 in Hattiesburg equals $78,896 in Erie.
Living in Erie vs Hattiesburg
Housing Costs
Erie's housing index of 55 is higher Hattiesburg's 52, translating to median home prices of $165,000 vs $170,000. The $5,000 difference in home prices means roughly $324 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $925/mo in Erie compared to $875/mo in Hattiesburg, a monthly difference of $50.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Erie and 97 in Hattiesburg. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Erie 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 Erie and 93 in Hattiesburg. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Erie 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 89 in Erie and 106 in Hattiesburg. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 17-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $43,400 in Erie and $44,100 in Hattiesburg. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $53,580 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 $1,013/month to housing in Erie vs $1,029/month in Hattiesburg. In Erie, median rent of $925/mo fits within this budget. In Hattiesburg, median rent of $875/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 18 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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