Gautier, MS vs West Hattiesburg, MS

Gautier, MS and West Hattiesburg, MS have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.6% difference in their overall index. Gautier scores 77 while West Hattiesburg scores 79 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Gautier is $1,077/month compared to $1,014/month in West Hattiesburg — a 6% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while West Hattiesburg has cheaper rent, Gautier actually has lower median home values ($162,700 vs $209,100).

Median household income in Gautier is $62,480 compared to $38,269 in West Hattiesburg (+63.3%). Gautier offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Gautier spend roughly 20.7% of their income on rent, less than the 31.8% in West Hattiesburg. The Gautier ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (67.8°F vs 66.5°F). Gautier receives more rainfall at 61.7" per year compared to 58.9" in West Hattiesburg.