City Comparison

Hattiesburg vs Syracuse

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Hattiesburg

Mississippi
77
Very Affordable
$170,000
Median Home
$875/mo
Median Rent
$44,100
Median Income

Syracuse

New York
92
Below Average
$140,000
Median Home
$950/mo
Median Rent
$36,708
Median Income

The Verdict

16.3%

Living in Hattiesburg costs 16.3% less than Syracuse. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Hattiesburg, you would need $89,610 in Syracuse.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
52
Hattiesburg
69
Syracuse
Groceries
97
Hattiesburg
101
Syracuse
Utilities
93
Hattiesburg
105
Syracuse
Transportation
95
Hattiesburg
101
Syracuse
Healthcare
106
Hattiesburg
100
Syracuse

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Hattiesburg has the same purchasing power as $89,610 in Syracuse.

Conversely, $75,000 in Syracuse equals $62,772 in Hattiesburg.

Living in Hattiesburg vs Syracuse

Housing Costs

Hattiesburg's housing index of 52 is lower Syracuse's 69, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $140,000. The $30,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,956 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Hattiesburg compared to $950/mo in Syracuse, a monthly difference of $75.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Hattiesburg and 101 in Syracuse. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Hattiesburg vs $480/month in Syracuse. 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 105 in Syracuse. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Hattiesburg vs $420 in Syracuse. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 106 in Hattiesburg and 100 in Syracuse. 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 $36,708 in Syracuse. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,273 and $39,900 respectively. Hattiesburg residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,029/month to housing in Hattiesburg vs $857/month in Syracuse. In Hattiesburg, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Syracuse, median rent of $950/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 17 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hattiesburg is 16.3% more affordable overall with an index of 77 vs 92.
A $75,000 salary in Hattiesburg has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $89,610 in Syracuse, based on the cost of living difference.
Hattiesburg's housing index is 52 with median homes at $170,000, while Syracuse's is 69 with median homes at $140,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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