Hattiesburg vs Lansing
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hattiesburg
Lansing
The Verdict
Hattiesburg is 8.3% less expensive than Lansing overall. A household earning $75,000 in Hattiesburg would need approximately $81,818 in Lansing 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 Lansing.
Conversely, $75,000 in Lansing equals $68,750 in Hattiesburg.
Living in Hattiesburg vs Lansing
Housing Costs
Hattiesburg's housing index of 52 is lower Lansing's 53, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $158,000. The $12,000 difference in home prices means roughly $780 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Hattiesburg compared to $1,050/mo in Lansing, a monthly difference of $175.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Hattiesburg and 89 in Lansing. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Hattiesburg vs $423/month in Lansing. Lansing offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 93 in Hattiesburg and 104 in Lansing. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Hattiesburg vs $416 in Lansing. 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 93 in Lansing. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-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 $54,400 in Lansing. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,273 and $64,762 respectively. Lansing 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 $1,269/month in Lansing. In Hattiesburg, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Lansing, median rent of $1,050/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 16 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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