Hattiesburg, MS vs Tupelo, MS

Hattiesburg, MS and Tupelo, MS have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.3% difference in their overall index. Hattiesburg scores 74 while Tupelo scores 77 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 $940/month in Tupelo — a 6% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Tupelo has cheaper rent, Hattiesburg actually has lower median home values ($153,600 vs $201,300).

Median household income in Hattiesburg is $44,140 compared to $66,314 in Tupelo (-33.4%). While Tupelo 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% in Tupelo.

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 Tupelo.