Hattiesburg vs Meridian
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hattiesburg
Meridian
The Verdict
Living in Hattiesburg costs 35.8% less than Meridian. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Hattiesburg, you would need $116,883 in Meridian.
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 $116,883 in Meridian.
Conversely, $75,000 in Meridian equals $48,125 in Hattiesburg.
Living in Hattiesburg vs Meridian
Housing Costs
Hattiesburg's housing index of 52 is lower Meridian's 154, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $509,000. The $339,000 difference in home prices means roughly $22,032 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Hattiesburg compared to $1,725/mo in Meridian, a monthly difference of $850.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Hattiesburg and 104 in Meridian. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Hattiesburg vs $494/month in Meridian. Hattiesburg offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 93 in Hattiesburg and 86 in Meridian. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Hattiesburg vs $344 in Meridian. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 106 in Hattiesburg and 103 in Meridian. 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 $99,700 in Meridian. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,273 and $83,083 respectively. Meridian 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 $2,326/month in Meridian. In Hattiesburg, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Meridian, median rent of $1,725/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 102 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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