Hattiesburg, MS vs Starkville, MS

Hattiesburg is moderately more affordable than Starkville, with a 7.3% lower cost of living index. Hattiesburg scores 74 compared to 80 for Starkville, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Starkville can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Hattiesburg is $995/month compared to $875/month in Starkville — a 14% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Starkville has cheaper rent, Hattiesburg actually has lower median home values ($153,600 vs $265,900).

Median household income in Hattiesburg is $44,140 compared to $39,751 in Starkville (+11%). Hattiesburg offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Hattiesburg spend roughly 27.1% of their income on rent, more than the 26.4% in Starkville.

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