City Comparison

Hattiesburg vs Kenosha

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Hattiesburg

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

Kenosha

Wisconsin
91
Below Average
$275,000
Median Home
$1,250/mo
Median Rent
$68,900
Median Income

The Verdict

15.4%

Living in Hattiesburg costs 15.4% less than Kenosha. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Hattiesburg, you would need $88,636 in Kenosha.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
52
Hattiesburg
82
Kenosha
Groceries
97
Hattiesburg
99
Kenosha
Utilities
93
Hattiesburg
95
Kenosha
Transportation
95
Hattiesburg
103
Kenosha
Healthcare
106
Hattiesburg
96
Kenosha

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Hattiesburg has the same purchasing power as $88,636 in Kenosha.

Conversely, $75,000 in Kenosha equals $63,462 in Hattiesburg.

Living in Hattiesburg vs Kenosha

Housing Costs

Hattiesburg's housing index of 52 is lower Kenosha's 82, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $275,000. The $105,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,828 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Hattiesburg compared to $1,250/mo in Kenosha, a monthly difference of $375.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Hattiesburg and 99 in Kenosha. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Hattiesburg vs $470/month in Kenosha. 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 95 in Kenosha. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Hattiesburg vs $380 in Kenosha. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 106 in Hattiesburg and 96 in Kenosha. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-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 $68,900 in Kenosha. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,273 and $75,714 respectively. Kenosha 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 $1,608/month in Kenosha. In Hattiesburg, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Kenosha, median rent of $1,250/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 15.4% more affordable overall with an index of 77 vs 91.
A $75,000 salary in Hattiesburg has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $88,636 in Kenosha, based on the cost of living difference.
Hattiesburg's housing index is 52 with median homes at $170,000, while Kenosha's is 82 with median homes at $275,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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