Hattiesburg vs Sandy
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hattiesburg
Sandy
The Verdict
Living in Hattiesburg costs 39.8% less than Sandy. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Hattiesburg, you would need $124,675 in Sandy.
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 $124,675 in Sandy.
Conversely, $75,000 in Sandy equals $45,117 in Hattiesburg.
Living in Hattiesburg vs Sandy
Housing Costs
Hattiesburg's housing index of 52 is lower Sandy's 189, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $630,000. The $460,000 difference in home prices means roughly $29,904 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Hattiesburg compared to $1,725/mo in Sandy, a monthly difference of $850.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Hattiesburg and 100 in Sandy. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Hattiesburg vs $475/month in Sandy. 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 88 in Sandy. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Hattiesburg vs $352 in Sandy. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 106 in Hattiesburg and 95 in Sandy. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-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 $111,200 in Sandy. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,273 and $86,875 respectively. Sandy 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 $2,595/month in Sandy. In Hattiesburg, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Sandy, median rent of $1,725/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 137 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases