Hattiesburg vs Springfield
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hattiesburg
Springfield
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 28.0%, with Hattiesburg being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Hattiesburg has equivalent purchasing power to $104,221 in Springfield.
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 $104,221 in Springfield.
Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $53,972 in Hattiesburg.
Living in Hattiesburg vs Springfield
Housing Costs
Hattiesburg's housing index of 52 is lower Springfield's 116, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $378,000. The $208,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,524 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Hattiesburg compared to $1,150/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $275.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Hattiesburg and 101 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Hattiesburg vs $480/month in Springfield. 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 96 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Hattiesburg vs $384 in Springfield. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 106 in Hattiesburg and 102 in Springfield. 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 $57,600 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,273 and $53,832 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 $1,344/month in Springfield. In Hattiesburg, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Springfield, median rent of $1,150/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 64 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases