Hattiesburg vs Macon
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hattiesburg
Macon
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 1.3%, with Macon being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Hattiesburg has equivalent purchasing power to $74,026 in Macon.
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 $74,026 in Macon.
Conversely, $75,000 in Macon equals $75,987 in Hattiesburg.
Living in Hattiesburg vs Macon
Housing Costs
Hattiesburg's housing index of 52 is higher Macon's 44, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $194,000. The $24,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,560 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Hattiesburg compared to $1,050/mo in Macon, a monthly difference of $175.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Hattiesburg and 101 in Macon. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Hattiesburg vs $480/month in Macon. 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 102 in Macon. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Hattiesburg vs $408 in Macon. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 106 in Hattiesburg and 106 in Macon. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $44,100 in Hattiesburg and $47,000 in Macon. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,273 and $61,842 respectively. Macon 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 $1,097/month in Macon. In Hattiesburg, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Macon, median rent of $1,050/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 9 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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