Hattiesburg, MS vs Jackson, MS

Hattiesburg, MS and Jackson, MS have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4% difference in their overall index. Hattiesburg scores 74 while Jackson scores 71 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 Hattiesburg is $995/month compared to $1,018/month in Jackson — a 2% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Hattiesburg has cheaper rent, Jackson actually has lower median home values ($108,200 vs $153,600).

Median household income in Hattiesburg is $44,140 compared to $43,238 in Jackson (+2.1%). The higher salaries in Hattiesburg partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Hattiesburg spend roughly 27.1% of their income on rent, less than the 28.3% in Jackson.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (66.5°F vs 66°F). Hattiesburg receives more rainfall at 58.9" per year compared to 51.3" in Jackson.