Hattiesburg vs Kent
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hattiesburg
Kent
The Verdict
Living in Hattiesburg costs 43.8% less than Kent. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Hattiesburg, you would need $133,442 in Kent.
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 $133,442 in Kent.
Conversely, $75,000 in Kent equals $42,153 in Hattiesburg.
Living in Hattiesburg vs Kent
Housing Costs
Hattiesburg's housing index of 52 is lower Kent's 195, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $595,000. The $425,000 difference in home prices means roughly $27,624 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Hattiesburg compared to $1,750/mo in Kent, a monthly difference of $875.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Hattiesburg and 109 in Kent. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Hattiesburg vs $518/month in Kent. Hattiesburg offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $684/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 93 in Hattiesburg and 92 in Kent. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Hattiesburg vs $368 in Kent. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 106 in Hattiesburg and 122 in Kent. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-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 $98,300 in Kent. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,273 and $71,752 respectively. Kent 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 $2,294/month in Kent. In Hattiesburg, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Kent, median rent of $1,750/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 143 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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