Hattiesburg vs Mobile
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hattiesburg
Mobile
The Verdict
Hattiesburg is 8.3% less expensive than Mobile overall. A household earning $75,000 in Hattiesburg would need approximately $81,818 in Mobile 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 Mobile.
Conversely, $75,000 in Mobile equals $68,750 in Hattiesburg.
Living in Hattiesburg vs Mobile
Housing Costs
Hattiesburg's housing index of 52 is lower Mobile's 60, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $193,000. The $23,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,500 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Hattiesburg compared to $975/mo in Mobile, a monthly difference of $100.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Hattiesburg and 98 in Mobile. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Hattiesburg vs $466/month in Mobile. 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 108 in Mobile. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Hattiesburg vs $432 in Mobile. 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 100 in Mobile. 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 $53,600 in Mobile. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,273 and $63,810 respectively. Mobile 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 $1,251/month in Mobile. In Hattiesburg, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Mobile, median rent of $975/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 15 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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