Gilbert vs Hattiesburg
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Gilbert
Hattiesburg
The Verdict
Hattiesburg is 44.2% less expensive than Gilbert overall. A household earning $75,000 in Gilbert would need approximately $52,027 in Hattiesburg to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Gilbert has the same purchasing power as $52,027 in Hattiesburg.
Conversely, $75,000 in Hattiesburg equals $108,117 in Gilbert.
Living in Gilbert vs Hattiesburg
Housing Costs
Gilbert's housing index of 128 is higher Hattiesburg's 52, translating to median home prices of $470,000 vs $170,000. The $300,000 difference in home prices means roughly $19,500 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,700/mo in Gilbert compared to $875/mo in Hattiesburg, a monthly difference of $825.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Gilbert and 97 in Hattiesburg. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Gilbert 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 96 in Gilbert and 93 in Hattiesburg. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Gilbert vs $372 in Hattiesburg. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 95 in Gilbert and 106 in Hattiesburg. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $94,518 in Gilbert and $44,100 in Hattiesburg. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $85,151 and $57,273 respectively. Gilbert residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,205/month to housing in Gilbert vs $1,029/month in Hattiesburg. In Gilbert, median rent of $1,700/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 76 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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