Fort Smith vs Hattiesburg

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Fort Smith has the same purchasing power as $75,000 in Hattiesburg.

Conversely, $75,000 in Hattiesburg equals $75,000 in Fort Smith.

Living in Fort Smith vs Hattiesburg

Housing Costs

Fort Smith's housing index of 49 is lower Hattiesburg's 52, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $170,000. The $15,000 difference in home prices means roughly $972 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $775/mo in Fort Smith compared to $875/mo in Hattiesburg, a monthly difference of $100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 92 in Fort Smith and 97 in Hattiesburg. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Fort Smith 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 95 in Fort Smith and 93 in Hattiesburg. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Fort Smith vs $372 in Hattiesburg. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 88 in Fort Smith and 106 in Hattiesburg. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $45,200 in Fort Smith and $44,100 in Hattiesburg. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,701 and $57,273 respectively. Fort Smith residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,055/month to housing in Fort Smith vs $1,029/month in Hattiesburg. In Fort Smith, median rent of $775/mo fits within this budget. In Hattiesburg, median rent of $875/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 18 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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