Hattiesburg vs Reading

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 $86,688 in Reading.

Conversely, $75,000 in Reading equals $64,888 in Hattiesburg.

Living in Hattiesburg vs Reading

Housing Costs

Hattiesburg's housing index of 52 is lower Reading's 62, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $155,000. The $15,000 difference in home prices means roughly $972 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Hattiesburg compared to $1,050/mo in Reading, a monthly difference of $175.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Hattiesburg and 96 in Reading. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Hattiesburg vs $456/month in Reading. 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 105 in Reading. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Hattiesburg vs $420 in Reading. 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 89 in Reading. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 17-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 $45,600 in Reading. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,273 and $51,236 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 $1,064/month in Reading. In Hattiesburg, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Reading, median rent of $1,050/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 17 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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