Hattiesburg vs Medford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hattiesburg
Medford
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 27.4%, with Hattiesburg being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Hattiesburg has equivalent purchasing power to $103,247 in Medford.
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 $103,247 in Medford.
Conversely, $75,000 in Medford equals $54,481 in Hattiesburg.
Living in Hattiesburg vs Medford
Housing Costs
Hattiesburg's housing index of 52 is lower Medford's 139, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $406,000. The $236,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,336 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Hattiesburg compared to $1,375/mo in Medford, a monthly difference of $500.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Hattiesburg and 108 in Medford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Hattiesburg vs $513/month in Medford. Hattiesburg offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $624/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 93 in Hattiesburg and 97 in Medford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Hattiesburg vs $388 in Medford. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 106 in Hattiesburg and 100 in Medford. 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 $73,200 in Medford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,273 and $69,057 respectively. Medford 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 $1,708/month in Medford. In Hattiesburg, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Medford, median rent of $1,375/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 87 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases