Belmont, MS vs West Hattiesburg, MS

Belmont is moderately more affordable than West Hattiesburg, with a 14.2% lower cost of living index. Belmont scores 68 compared to 79 for West Hattiesburg, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of West Hattiesburg can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Belmont is $766/month compared to $1,014/month in West Hattiesburg — a 25% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Belmont is more affordable at $160,900 median vs $209,100.

Median household income in Belmont is $43,152 compared to $38,269 in West Hattiesburg (+12.8%). Belmont offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Belmont spend roughly 21.3% of their income on rent, less than the 31.8% in West Hattiesburg. The Belmont ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, West Hattiesburg is notably warmer with an average of 66.5°F compared to 59.6°F in Belmont. West Hattiesburg receives more rainfall at 58.9" per year compared to 58.7" in Belmont.