Franklin vs Hattiesburg
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Franklin
Hattiesburg
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 80.5%, with Hattiesburg being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Franklin has equivalent purchasing power to $41,547 in Hattiesburg.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Franklin has the same purchasing power as $41,547 in Hattiesburg.
Conversely, $75,000 in Hattiesburg equals $135,390 in Franklin.
Living in Franklin vs Hattiesburg
Housing Costs
Franklin's housing index of 230 is higher Hattiesburg's 52, translating to median home prices of $750,000 vs $170,000. The $580,000 difference in home prices means roughly $37,704 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,850/mo in Franklin compared to $875/mo in Hattiesburg, a monthly difference of $975.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Franklin and 97 in Hattiesburg. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Franklin 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 97 in Franklin and 93 in Hattiesburg. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Franklin vs $372 in Hattiesburg. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 91 in Franklin and 106 in Hattiesburg. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $118,200 in Franklin and $44,100 in Hattiesburg. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $85,036 and $57,273 respectively. Franklin residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,758/month to housing in Franklin vs $1,029/month in Hattiesburg. In Franklin, median rent of $1,850/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 178 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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