Hattiesburg vs Sacramento
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Hattiesburg
Sacramento
💡 The Verdict
Hattiesburg is 34% cheaper than Sacramento overall. A $75,000 salary in Hattiesburg is equivalent to $114,286 in Sacramento.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Hattiesburg (left) vs Sacramento (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Hattiesburg versus Sacramento. Differences shown from Hattiesburg perspective.
| Item | Hattiesburg | Sacramento | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $870/mo | $1,260/mo | $-390.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,220/mo | $1,700/mo | $-480.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $1,550/mo | $2,230/mo | $-680.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $2.44 | $3.03 | $-0.59 |
| Milk (gallon) | $3.21 | $3.90 | $-0.69 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $2.44 | $3.22 | $-0.78 |
| Coffee (latte) | $4.84 | $5.98 | $-1.14 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.01 | $3.55 | $-0.54 |
| Restaurant Meal | $15.22 | $20.36 | $-5.14 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Hattiesburg has the same purchasing power as $114,286 in Sacramento.
Conversely, $75,000 in Sacramento equals $49,219 in Hattiesburg.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $900 difference is driven by California having a higher state income tax rate. Mississippi details → · California details →
Reading These Numbers: Hattiesburg (84) vs Sacramento (128)
Hattiesburg at 84 is 16% below the US average, while Sacramento at 128 is 28% above average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.
In Hattiesburg, the composite index of 84 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 85, followed by groceries (80), utilities (79), transportation (83), and healthcare (81). Costs are fairly balanced across categories.
For renters: With median rents of $1,220/mo in Hattiesburg and $1,700/mo in Sacramento, the annual rent difference is approximately $5,760.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $28,800.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $191,000.0 difference in median home prices between Hattiesburg and Sacramento translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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Making Your Decision: Hattiesburg vs Sacramento
Choosing between Hattiesburg and Sacramento involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.
When weighing Hattiesburg against Sacramento, think beyond the composite index. Your personal savings rate, retirement timeline, and family size all influence which cost categories dominate your budget. Someone spending sixty percent of income on housing and childcare will experience these two cities very differently than a single renter whose largest variable expense is dining out. Model your own spending breakdown against the category indices above for the most realistic comparison.