Hattiesburg vs Hillsboro
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hattiesburg
Hillsboro
The Verdict
Living in Hattiesburg costs 39.8% less than Hillsboro. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Hattiesburg, you would need $124,675 in Hillsboro.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Hattiesburg has the same purchasing power as $124,675 in Hillsboro.
Conversely, $75,000 in Hillsboro equals $45,117 in Hattiesburg.
Living in Hattiesburg vs Hillsboro
Housing Costs
Hattiesburg's housing index of 52 is lower Hillsboro's 175, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $533,000. The $363,000 difference in home prices means roughly $23,592 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Hattiesburg compared to $1,725/mo in Hillsboro, a monthly difference of $850.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Hattiesburg and 108 in Hillsboro. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Hattiesburg vs $513/month in Hillsboro. Hattiesburg offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $624/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 93 in Hattiesburg and 96 in Hillsboro. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Hattiesburg vs $384 in Hillsboro. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 106 in Hattiesburg and 103 in Hillsboro. 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 $44,100 in Hattiesburg and $106,700 in Hillsboro. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,273 and $83,359 respectively. Hillsboro residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,029/month to housing in Hattiesburg vs $2,490/month in Hillsboro. In Hattiesburg, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Hillsboro, median rent of $1,725/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 123 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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