Charleston, MS vs West Hattiesburg, MS

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Charleston is 27% cheaper than West Hattiesburg. With a cost index of 58 vs 79, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Charleston to West Hattiesburg should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Charleston is $628/month compared to $1,014/month in West Hattiesburg — a 38% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Charleston is more affordable at $87,700 median vs $209,100.

Median household income in Charleston is $37,351 compared to $38,269 in West Hattiesburg (-2.4%). West Hattiesburg does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Charleston spend roughly 20.2% of their income on rent, less than the 31.8% in West Hattiesburg. The Charleston ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (64°F vs 66.5°F). West Hattiesburg receives more rainfall at 58.9" per year compared to 51.8" in Charleston.