Hattiesburg vs Lakewood
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hattiesburg
Lakewood
The Verdict
Living in Hattiesburg costs 42.1% less than Lakewood. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Hattiesburg, you would need $129,545 in Lakewood.
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 $129,545 in Lakewood.
Conversely, $75,000 in Lakewood equals $43,421 in Hattiesburg.
Living in Hattiesburg vs Lakewood
Housing Costs
Hattiesburg's housing index of 52 is lower Lakewood's 188, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $574,000. The $404,000 difference in home prices means roughly $26,256 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Hattiesburg compared to $1,850/mo in Lakewood, a monthly difference of $975.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Hattiesburg and 101 in Lakewood. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Hattiesburg vs $480/month in Lakewood. 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 85 in Lakewood. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Hattiesburg vs $340 in Lakewood. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 106 in Hattiesburg and 84 in Lakewood. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 22-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 $83,800 in Lakewood. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,273 and $63,008 respectively. Lakewood 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 $1,955/month in Lakewood. In Hattiesburg, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Lakewood, median rent of $1,850/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 136 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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