Hattiesburg vs Jackson
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hattiesburg
Jackson
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 6.1%, with Hattiesburg being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Hattiesburg has equivalent purchasing power to $79,870 in Jackson.
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 $79,870 in Jackson.
Conversely, $75,000 in Jackson equals $70,427 in Hattiesburg.
Living in Hattiesburg vs Jackson
Housing Costs
Hattiesburg's housing index of 52 is lower Jackson's 56, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $125,000. The $45,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,928 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Hattiesburg compared to $900/mo in Jackson, a monthly difference of $25.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Hattiesburg and 95 in Jackson. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Hattiesburg vs $451/month in Jackson. 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 93 in Hattiesburg and 86 in Jackson. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Hattiesburg vs $344 in Jackson. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 106 in Hattiesburg and 88 in Jackson. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-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 $36,528 in Jackson. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,273 and $44,546 respectively. Hattiesburg residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,029/month to housing in Hattiesburg vs $852/month in Jackson. In Hattiesburg, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Jackson, median rent of $900/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 18 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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