City Comparison

Great Falls vs Hattiesburg

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Great Falls

Montana
88
Below Average
$325,000
Median Home
$1,050/mo
Median Rent
$55,800
Median Income

Hattiesburg

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

The Verdict

14.3%

The cost gap between these cities is 14.3%, with Hattiesburg being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Great Falls has equivalent purchasing power to $65,625 in Hattiesburg.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
82
Great Falls
52
Hattiesburg
Groceries
99
Great Falls
97
Hattiesburg
Utilities
90
Great Falls
93
Hattiesburg
Transportation
95
Great Falls
95
Hattiesburg
Healthcare
92
Great Falls
106
Hattiesburg

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Great Falls has the same purchasing power as $65,625 in Hattiesburg.

Conversely, $75,000 in Hattiesburg equals $85,714 in Great Falls.

Living in Great Falls vs Hattiesburg

Housing Costs

Great Falls's housing index of 82 is higher Hattiesburg's 52, translating to median home prices of $325,000 vs $170,000. The $155,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,080 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,050/mo in Great Falls compared to $875/mo in Hattiesburg, a monthly difference of $175.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Great Falls and 97 in Hattiesburg. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Great Falls 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 90 in Great Falls and 93 in Hattiesburg. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Great Falls vs $372 in Hattiesburg. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 92 in Great Falls and 106 in Hattiesburg. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $55,800 in Great Falls and $44,100 in Hattiesburg. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,409 and $57,273 respectively. Great Falls residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,302/month to housing in Great Falls vs $1,029/month in Hattiesburg. In Great Falls, median rent of $1,050/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 30 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hattiesburg is 14.3% more affordable overall with an index of 77 vs 88.
A $75,000 salary in Great Falls has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $65,625 in Hattiesburg, based on the cost of living difference.
Great Falls's housing index is 82 with median homes at $325,000, while Hattiesburg's is 52 with median homes at $170,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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