Hattiesburg vs New Haven
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hattiesburg
New Haven
The Verdict
Living in Hattiesburg costs 34.7% less than New Haven. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Hattiesburg, you would need $114,935 in New Haven.
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 $114,935 in New Haven.
Conversely, $75,000 in New Haven equals $48,941 in Hattiesburg.
Living in Hattiesburg vs New Haven
Housing Costs
Hattiesburg's housing index of 52 is lower New Haven's 137, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $250,000. The $80,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,196 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Hattiesburg compared to $1,400/mo in New Haven, a monthly difference of $525.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Hattiesburg and 106 in New Haven. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Hattiesburg vs $504/month in New Haven. Hattiesburg offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 93 in Hattiesburg and 124 in New Haven. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Hattiesburg vs $496 in New Haven. 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 114 in New Haven. 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 $42,158 in New Haven. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,273 and $35,727 respectively. Hattiesburg residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,029/month to housing in Hattiesburg vs $984/month in New Haven. In Hattiesburg, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In New Haven, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 85 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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