Hattiesburg vs Reno
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hattiesburg
Reno
The Verdict
Hattiesburg is 30.6% less expensive than Reno overall. A household earning $75,000 in Hattiesburg would need approximately $108,117 in Reno to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $108,117 in Reno.
Conversely, $75,000 in Reno equals $52,027 in Hattiesburg.
Living in Hattiesburg vs Reno
Housing Costs
Hattiesburg's housing index of 52 is lower Reno's 133, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $450,000. The $280,000 difference in home prices means roughly $18,204 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Hattiesburg compared to $1,600/mo in Reno, a monthly difference of $725.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Hattiesburg and 102 in Reno. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Hattiesburg vs $485/month in Reno. 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 93 in Reno. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Hattiesburg vs $372 in Reno. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 106 in Hattiesburg and 96 in Reno. 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 $61,648 in Reno. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,273 and $55,539 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 $1,438/month in Reno. In Hattiesburg, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Reno, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 81 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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