Hattiesburg vs Odessa
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hattiesburg
Odessa
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 9.4%, with Hattiesburg being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Hattiesburg has equivalent purchasing power to $82,792 in Odessa.
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 $82,792 in Odessa.
Conversely, $75,000 in Odessa equals $67,941 in Hattiesburg.
Living in Hattiesburg vs Odessa
Housing Costs
Hattiesburg's housing index of 52 is lower Odessa's 72, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $223,000. The $53,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,444 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Hattiesburg compared to $1,150/mo in Odessa, a monthly difference of $275.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Hattiesburg and 96 in Odessa. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Hattiesburg vs $456/month in Odessa. 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 100 in Odessa. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Hattiesburg vs $400 in Odessa. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 106 in Hattiesburg and 96 in Odessa. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-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 $73,500 in Odessa. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,273 and $86,471 respectively. Odessa 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 $1,715/month in Odessa. In Hattiesburg, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Odessa, median rent of $1,150/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 20 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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