Hattiesburg vs Richmond
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hattiesburg
Richmond
The Verdict
Hattiesburg is 25.2% less expensive than Richmond overall. A household earning $75,000 in Hattiesburg would need approximately $100,325 in Richmond 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 $100,325 in Richmond.
Conversely, $75,000 in Richmond equals $56,068 in Hattiesburg.
Living in Hattiesburg vs Richmond
Housing Costs
Hattiesburg's housing index of 52 is lower Richmond's 108, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $300,000. The $130,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,448 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Hattiesburg compared to $1,400/mo in Richmond, a monthly difference of $525.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Hattiesburg and 100 in Richmond. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Hattiesburg vs $475/month in Richmond. 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 97 in Richmond. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Hattiesburg vs $388 in Richmond. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 106 in Hattiesburg and 100 in Richmond. 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 $50,120 in Richmond. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,273 and $48,660 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 $1,169/month in Richmond. In Hattiesburg, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Richmond, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 56 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases