Guntown, MS vs West Hattiesburg, MS

Guntown, MS and West Hattiesburg, MS have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.6% difference in their overall index. Guntown scores 79 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 Guntown is $1,103/month compared to $1,014/month in West Hattiesburg — a 9% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while West Hattiesburg has cheaper rent, Guntown actually has lower median home values ($167,600 vs $209,100).

Median household income in Guntown is $72,292 compared to $38,269 in West Hattiesburg (+88.9%). Guntown offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Guntown spend roughly 18.3% of their income on rent, less than the 31.8% in West Hattiesburg. The Guntown ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (63.6°F vs 66.5°F). West Hattiesburg receives more rainfall at 58.9" per year compared to 57.7" in Guntown.