Hattiesburg vs Little Rock
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hattiesburg
Little Rock
The Verdict
Hattiesburg is 8.3% less expensive than Little Rock overall. A household earning $75,000 in Hattiesburg would need approximately $81,818 in Little Rock 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 Little Rock.
Conversely, $75,000 in Little Rock equals $68,750 in Hattiesburg.
Living in Hattiesburg vs Little Rock
Housing Costs
Hattiesburg's housing index of 52 is lower Little Rock's 62, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $170,000. The $0 difference in home prices means roughly $0 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Hattiesburg compared to $950/mo in Little Rock, a monthly difference of $75.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Hattiesburg and 94 in Little Rock. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Hattiesburg vs $447/month in Little Rock. 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 88 in Little Rock. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Hattiesburg vs $352 in Little Rock. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 106 in Hattiesburg and 90 in Little Rock. 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 $47,638 in Little Rock. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,273 and $56,712 respectively. Hattiesburg residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,029/month to housing in Hattiesburg vs $1,112/month in Little Rock. In Hattiesburg, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Little Rock, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 16 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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