Hattiesburg vs New Bedford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hattiesburg
New Bedford
The Verdict
Hattiesburg is 31.2% less expensive than New Bedford overall. A household earning $75,000 in Hattiesburg would need approximately $109,091 in New Bedford 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 $109,091 in New Bedford.
Conversely, $75,000 in New Bedford equals $51,563 in Hattiesburg.
Living in Hattiesburg vs New Bedford
Housing Costs
Hattiesburg's housing index of 52 is lower New Bedford's 116, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $371,000. The $201,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,068 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Hattiesburg compared to $1,225/mo in New Bedford, a monthly difference of $350.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Hattiesburg and 104 in New Bedford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Hattiesburg vs $494/month in New Bedford. 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 145 in New Bedford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Hattiesburg vs $580 in New Bedford. 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 118 in New Bedford. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-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 $57,000 in New Bedford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,273 and $50,893 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 $1,330/month in New Bedford. In Hattiesburg, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In New Bedford, median rent of $1,225/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 64 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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