Hattiesburg vs Salem
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hattiesburg
Salem
The Verdict
Living in Hattiesburg costs 26.0% less than Salem. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Hattiesburg, you would need $101,299 in Salem.
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 $101,299 in Salem.
Conversely, $75,000 in Salem equals $55,529 in Hattiesburg.
Living in Hattiesburg vs Salem
Housing Costs
Hattiesburg's housing index of 52 is lower Salem's 118, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $400,000. The $230,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,952 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Hattiesburg compared to $1,275/mo in Salem, a monthly difference of $400.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Hattiesburg and 100 in Salem. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Hattiesburg vs $475/month in Salem. 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 Salem. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Hattiesburg vs $388 in Salem. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 106 in Hattiesburg and 100 in Salem. 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 $66,400 in Salem. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,273 and $63,846 respectively. Salem 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 $1,549/month in Salem. In Hattiesburg, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Salem, median rent of $1,275/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 66 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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