Hattiesburg vs Portland
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hattiesburg
Portland
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 Portland.
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 Portland.
Conversely, $75,000 in Portland equals $49,359 in Hattiesburg.
Living in Hattiesburg vs Portland
Housing Costs
Hattiesburg's housing index of 52 is lower Portland's 137, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $395,000. The $225,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,628 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Hattiesburg compared to $1,700/mo in Portland, a monthly difference of $825.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Hattiesburg and 107 in Portland. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Hattiesburg vs $508/month in Portland. Hattiesburg offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $564/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 93 in Hattiesburg and 111 in Portland. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Hattiesburg vs $444 in Portland. 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 110 in Portland. 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 $56,895 in Portland. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,273 and $48,628 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 $1,328/month in Portland. In Hattiesburg, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Portland, median rent of $1,700/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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