Fresno vs Hattiesburg
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Fresno
Hattiesburg
💡 The Verdict
Hattiesburg is 21% cheaper than Fresno overall. A $75,000 salary in Fresno is equivalent to $58,879 in Hattiesburg.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Fresno (left) vs Hattiesburg (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Fresno versus Hattiesburg. Differences shown from Fresno perspective.
| Item | Fresno | Hattiesburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $930/mo | $870/mo | +$60.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,300/mo | $1,220/mo | +$80.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $1,660/mo | $1,550/mo | +$110.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $2.80 | $2.44 | +$0.36 |
| Milk (gallon) | $3.98 | $3.21 | +$0.77 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $3.27 | $2.44 | +$0.83 |
| Coffee (latte) | $5.81 | $4.84 | +$0.97 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.34 | $3.01 | +$0.33 |
| Restaurant Meal | $14.87 | $15.22 | $-0.35 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Fresno has the same purchasing power as $58,879 in Hattiesburg.
Conversely, $75,000 in Hattiesburg equals $95,536 in Fresno.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $900 difference is driven by California having a higher state income tax rate. California details → · Mississippi details →
Reading These Numbers: Fresno (107) vs Hattiesburg (84)
Fresno at 107 is 7% above the US average, while Hattiesburg at 84 is 16% below average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.
In Fresno, the composite index of 107 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 111, followed by groceries (101), utilities (106), transportation (109), and healthcare (100). Costs are fairly balanced across categories.
For renters: With median rents of $1,300/mo in Fresno and $1,220/mo in Hattiesburg, the annual rent difference is approximately $960.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $4,800.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $71,000.0 difference in median home prices between Fresno and Hattiesburg translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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Making Your Decision: Fresno vs Hattiesburg
Choosing between Fresno and Hattiesburg involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.
Beyond the numbers shown above, quality of life differences between Fresno and Hattiesburg can meaningfully affect your financial picture in ways the index does not capture. Commute time translates to fuel costs and vehicle depreciation. Climate affects utility bills seasonally. Access to public parks and free cultural venues reduces entertainment spending. Consider these secondary financial effects alongside the direct cost comparisons when making your final decision.