Fort Wayne vs Hattiesburg
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fort Wayne
Hattiesburg
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 6.5%, with Hattiesburg being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fort Wayne has equivalent purchasing power to $70,427 in Hattiesburg.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Fort Wayne has the same purchasing power as $70,427 in Hattiesburg.
Conversely, $75,000 in Hattiesburg equals $79,870 in Fort Wayne.
Living in Fort Wayne vs Hattiesburg
Housing Costs
Fort Wayne's housing index of 57 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: $950/mo in Fort Wayne compared to $875/mo in Hattiesburg, a monthly difference of $75.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Fort Wayne and 97 in Hattiesburg. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Fort Wayne 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 Fort Wayne and 93 in Hattiesburg. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Fort Wayne vs $372 in Hattiesburg. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 96 in Fort Wayne 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 $54,600 in Fort Wayne and $44,100 in Hattiesburg. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $66,585 and $57,273 respectively. Fort Wayne residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,274/month to housing in Fort Wayne vs $1,029/month in Hattiesburg. In Fort Wayne, median rent of $950/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 10 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases