Hattiesburg vs Tampa
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hattiesburg
Tampa
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 24.5%, with Hattiesburg being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Hattiesburg has equivalent purchasing power to $99,351 in Tampa.
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 $99,351 in Tampa.
Conversely, $75,000 in Tampa equals $56,618 in Hattiesburg.
Living in Hattiesburg vs Tampa
Housing Costs
Hattiesburg's housing index of 52 is lower Tampa's 108, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $340,000. The $170,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,052 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Hattiesburg compared to $1,700/mo in Tampa, a monthly difference of $825.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Hattiesburg and 103 in Tampa. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Hattiesburg vs $489/month in Tampa. Hattiesburg offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 93 in Hattiesburg and 96 in Tampa. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Hattiesburg vs $384 in Tampa. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 106 in Hattiesburg and 97 in Tampa. 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 $52,594 in Tampa. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,273 and $51,563 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 $1,227/month in Tampa. In Hattiesburg, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Tampa, median rent of $1,700/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 56 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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