Hattiesburg vs Killeen
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hattiesburg
Killeen
The Verdict
Hattiesburg is 8.3% less expensive than Killeen overall. A household earning $75,000 in Hattiesburg would need approximately $81,818 in Killeen to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $81,818 in Killeen.
Conversely, $75,000 in Killeen equals $68,750 in Hattiesburg.
Living in Hattiesburg vs Killeen
Housing Costs
Hattiesburg's housing index of 52 is lower Killeen's 56, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $235,000. The $65,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,224 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Hattiesburg compared to $975/mo in Killeen, a monthly difference of $100.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Hattiesburg and 96 in Killeen. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Hattiesburg vs $456/month in Killeen. 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 108 in Killeen. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Hattiesburg vs $432 in Killeen. 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 96 in Killeen. 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 $56,400 in Killeen. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,273 and $67,143 respectively. Killeen 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 $1,316/month in Killeen. In Hattiesburg, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Killeen, median rent of $975/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 15 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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