Hattiesburg vs Hilo

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 $128,571 in Hilo.

Conversely, $75,000 in Hilo equals $43,750 in Hattiesburg.

Living in Hattiesburg vs Hilo

Housing Costs

Hattiesburg's housing index of 52 is lower Hilo's 149, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $555,000. The $385,000 difference in home prices means roughly $25,020 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Hattiesburg compared to $1,575/mo in Hilo, a monthly difference of $700.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Hattiesburg and 149 in Hilo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Hattiesburg vs $708/month in Hilo. Hattiesburg offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $2964/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 93 in Hattiesburg and 218 in Hilo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Hattiesburg vs $872 in Hilo. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 106 in Hattiesburg and 118 in Hilo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $44,100 in Hattiesburg and $78,700 in Hilo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,273 and $59,621 respectively. Hilo 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 $1,836/month in Hilo. In Hattiesburg, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Hilo, median rent of $1,575/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 125 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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