Hattiesburg vs Orem
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hattiesburg
Orem
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 34.2%, with Hattiesburg being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Hattiesburg has equivalent purchasing power to $113,961 in Orem.
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 $113,961 in Orem.
Conversely, $75,000 in Orem equals $49,359 in Hattiesburg.
Living in Hattiesburg vs Orem
Housing Costs
Hattiesburg's housing index of 52 is lower Orem's 147, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $528,000. The $358,000 difference in home prices means roughly $23,268 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Hattiesburg compared to $1,400/mo in Orem, a monthly difference of $525.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Hattiesburg and 98 in Orem. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Hattiesburg vs $466/month in Orem. 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 92 in Orem. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Hattiesburg vs $368 in Orem. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 106 in Hattiesburg and 95 in Orem. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-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 $86,000 in Orem. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,273 and $73,504 respectively. Orem 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 $2,007/month in Orem. In Hattiesburg, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Orem, median rent of $1,400/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 95 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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