Hattiesburg vs Racine
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hattiesburg
Racine
The Verdict
Living in Hattiesburg costs 12.5% less than Racine. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Hattiesburg, you would need $85,714 in Racine.
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 $85,714 in Racine.
Conversely, $75,000 in Racine equals $65,625 in Hattiesburg.
Living in Hattiesburg vs Racine
Housing Costs
Hattiesburg's housing index of 52 is lower Racine's 66, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $126,000. The $44,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,856 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Hattiesburg compared to $1,025/mo in Racine, a monthly difference of $150.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Hattiesburg and 97 in Racine. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Hattiesburg vs $461/month in Racine. 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 94 in Racine. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Hattiesburg vs $376 in Racine. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 106 in Hattiesburg and 111 in Racine. 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 $57,700 in Racine. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,273 and $65,568 respectively. Racine 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 $1,346/month in Racine. In Hattiesburg, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Racine, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 14 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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