City Comparison

Hattiesburg vs West Valley City

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Hattiesburg

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

West Valley City

Utah
107
Above Average
$485,000
Median Home
$1,350/mo
Median Rent
$72,600
Median Income

The Verdict

28.0%

Living in Hattiesburg costs 28.0% less than West Valley City. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Hattiesburg, you would need $104,221 in West Valley City.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
52
Hattiesburg
129
West Valley City
Groceries
97
Hattiesburg
100
West Valley City
Utilities
93
Hattiesburg
88
West Valley City
Transportation
95
Hattiesburg
106
West Valley City
Healthcare
106
Hattiesburg
95
West Valley City

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Hattiesburg has the same purchasing power as $104,221 in West Valley City.

Conversely, $75,000 in West Valley City equals $53,972 in Hattiesburg.

Living in Hattiesburg vs West Valley City

Housing Costs

Hattiesburg's housing index of 52 is lower West Valley City's 129, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $485,000. The $315,000 difference in home prices means roughly $20,472 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Hattiesburg compared to $1,350/mo in West Valley City, a monthly difference of $475.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Hattiesburg and 100 in West Valley City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Hattiesburg vs $475/month in West Valley City. 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 88 in West Valley City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Hattiesburg vs $352 in West Valley City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 106 in Hattiesburg and 95 in West Valley City. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-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 $72,600 in West Valley City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,273 and $67,850 respectively. West Valley City 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 $1,694/month in West Valley City. In Hattiesburg, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In West Valley City, median rent of $1,350/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 77 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hattiesburg is 28.0% more affordable overall with an index of 77 vs 107.
A $75,000 salary in Hattiesburg has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $104,221 in West Valley City, based on the cost of living difference.
Hattiesburg's housing index is 52 with median homes at $170,000, while West Valley City's is 129 with median homes at $485,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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