Hattiesburg vs Tucson
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hattiesburg
Tucson
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 17.2%, with Hattiesburg being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Hattiesburg has equivalent purchasing power to $90,584 in Tucson.
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 Tucson.
Conversely, $75,000 in Tucson equals $62,097 in Hattiesburg.
Living in Hattiesburg vs Tucson
Housing Costs
Hattiesburg's housing index of 52 is lower Tucson's 83, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $265,000. The $95,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,180 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Hattiesburg compared to $1,100/mo in Tucson, a monthly difference of $225.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Hattiesburg and 98 in Tucson. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Hattiesburg vs $466/month in Tucson. 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 Tucson. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Hattiesburg vs $384 in Tucson. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 106 in Hattiesburg and 93 in Tucson. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-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 $43,425 in Tucson. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,273 and $46,694 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 $1,013/month in Tucson. In Hattiesburg, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Tucson, median rent of $1,100/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 31 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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