Hattiesburg vs Surprise
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hattiesburg
Surprise
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 25.2%, with Hattiesburg being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Hattiesburg has equivalent purchasing power to $100,325 in Surprise.
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 Surprise.
Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $56,068 in Hattiesburg.
Living in Hattiesburg vs Surprise
Housing Costs
Hattiesburg's housing index of 52 is lower Surprise's 105, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $419,000. The $249,000 difference in home prices means roughly $16,188 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Hattiesburg compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $700.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Hattiesburg and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Hattiesburg vs $475/month in Surprise. 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 102 in Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Hattiesburg vs $408 in Surprise. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 106 in Hattiesburg and 97 in Surprise. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-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 $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,273 and $83,010 respectively. Surprise 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 $1,995/month in Surprise. In Hattiesburg, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Surprise, median rent of $1,575/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 53 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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