Hattiesburg vs Lakeland
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hattiesburg
Lakeland
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 16.3%, with Hattiesburg being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Hattiesburg has equivalent purchasing power to $89,610 in Lakeland.
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 $89,610 in Lakeland.
Conversely, $75,000 in Lakeland equals $62,772 in Hattiesburg.
Living in Hattiesburg vs Lakeland
Housing Costs
Hattiesburg's housing index of 52 is lower Lakeland's 79, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $307,000. The $137,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,904 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Hattiesburg compared to $1,525/mo in Lakeland, a monthly difference of $650.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Hattiesburg and 103 in Lakeland. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Hattiesburg vs $489/month in Lakeland. Hattiesburg offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 93 in Hattiesburg and 102 in Lakeland. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Hattiesburg vs $408 in Lakeland. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 106 in Hattiesburg and 95 in Lakeland. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-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 $64,200 in Lakeland. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,273 and $69,783 respectively. Lakeland 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 $1,498/month in Lakeland. In Hattiesburg, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Lakeland, median rent of $1,525/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 27 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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