Hattiesburg vs Toronto
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hattiesburg
Toronto
The Verdict
Living in Hattiesburg costs 17.2% less than Toronto. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Hattiesburg, you would need $90,584 in Toronto.
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 $90,584 in Toronto.
Conversely, $75,000 in Toronto equals $62,097 in Hattiesburg.
Living in Hattiesburg vs Toronto
Housing Costs
Hattiesburg's housing index of 52 is lower Toronto's 132, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $615,000. The $445,000 difference in home prices means roughly $28,920 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Hattiesburg compared to $1,825/mo in Toronto, a monthly difference of $950.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Hattiesburg and 88 in Toronto. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Hattiesburg vs $418/month in Toronto. Toronto offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 93 in Hattiesburg and 85 in Toronto. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Hattiesburg vs $340 in Toronto. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 106 in Hattiesburg and 72 in Toronto. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 34-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 $55,000 in Toronto. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,273 and $59,140 respectively. Toronto 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 $1,283/month in Toronto. In Hattiesburg, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Toronto, median rent of $1,825/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 80 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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