Hattiesburg, MS vs Madison, MS

The cost of living difference between Hattiesburg, MS and Madison, MS is dramatic. Hattiesburg is 34.7% cheaper than Madison, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Hattiesburg has a cost index of 74 while Madison sits at 113, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Hattiesburg is $995/month compared to $1,798/month in Madison — a 45% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Hattiesburg is more affordable at $153,600 median vs $334,700.

Median household income in Hattiesburg is $44,140 compared to $120,918 in Madison (-63.5%). While Madison is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Hattiesburg spend roughly 27.1% of their income on rent, more than the 17.8% in Madison.

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 Madison.