City Comparison

Fort Worth vs Hattiesburg

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Fort Worth

Texas
95
Below Average
$270,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$62,187
Median Income

Hattiesburg

Mississippi
77
Very Affordable
$170,000
Median Home
$875/mo
Median Rent
$44,100
Median Income

The Verdict

23.4%

The cost gap between these cities is 23.4%, with Hattiesburg being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fort Worth has equivalent purchasing power to $60,789 in Hattiesburg.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
87
Fort Worth
52
Hattiesburg
Groceries
96
Fort Worth
97
Hattiesburg
Utilities
99
Fort Worth
93
Hattiesburg
Transportation
106
Fort Worth
95
Hattiesburg
Healthcare
100
Fort Worth
106
Hattiesburg

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Fort Worth has the same purchasing power as $60,789 in Hattiesburg.

Conversely, $75,000 in Hattiesburg equals $92,532 in Fort Worth.

Living in Fort Worth vs Hattiesburg

Housing Costs

Fort Worth's housing index of 87 is higher Hattiesburg's 52, translating to median home prices of $270,000 vs $170,000. The $100,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,504 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Fort Worth compared to $875/mo in Hattiesburg, a monthly difference of $525.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Fort Worth and 97 in Hattiesburg. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Fort Worth 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 99 in Fort Worth and 93 in Hattiesburg. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Fort Worth vs $372 in Hattiesburg. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 100 in Fort Worth 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 $62,187 in Fort Worth and $44,100 in Hattiesburg. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,460 and $57,273 respectively. Fort Worth residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,451/month to housing in Fort Worth vs $1,029/month in Hattiesburg. In Fort Worth, median rent of $1,400/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 35 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hattiesburg is 23.4% more affordable overall with an index of 77 vs 95.
A $75,000 salary in Fort Worth has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $60,789 in Hattiesburg, based on the cost of living difference.
Fort Worth's housing index is 87 with median homes at $270,000, while Hattiesburg's is 52 with median homes at $170,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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