CostIndexUSA

Baltimore, MD vs Hattiesburg, MS Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MD
Baltimore
104.5
overall index
$1,850/mo rent
More AffordableMS
Hattiesburg
87.6
overall index
$1,275/mo rent

Hattiesburg is significantly cheaper than Baltimore — 16.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Baltimore, you would need $67,100 in Hattiesburg. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing49.2%
Baltimore
118.2
Hattiesburg
60.1
🛒 Groceries6.1%
Baltimore
102.4
Hattiesburg
96.2
🚗 Transportation5.3%
Baltimore
106.6
Hattiesburg
100.9
🏥 Healthcare5.3%
Baltimore
96.4
Hattiesburg
91.3
Utilities30.2%
Baltimore
110.2
Hattiesburg
76.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Baltimore to see what you'd need to earn in Hattiesburg to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Hattiesburg, MS
$67,100
$12,900 less needed in Hattiesburg

Formula: salary × (87.6 ÷ 104.5) = salary × 0.8383. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Baltimore, MD

Median Home Price
$391,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,850
Housing Index
118.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.6×

Hattiesburg, MS

Median Home Price
$208,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,275
Housing Index
60.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.6×

Baltimore has 49.2% lower housing costs compared to Hattiesburg.

Income & Job Market

Baltimore, MD

Median Household Income
$94,300
Per Capita Income
$53,800
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
585,708
Top Industries
HealthcareGovernmentFinanceEducationManufacturing

Hattiesburg, MS

Median Household Income
$55,300
Per Capita Income
$31,500
Unemployment Rate
2.8%
Population
46,765
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareMilitaryManufacturingRetail

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Baltimore, MD
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Hattiesburg, MS
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

72% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.