CostIndexUSA

Bismarck, ND vs Hattiesburg, MS Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

ND
Bismarck
91
overall index
$1,300/mo rent
More AffordableMS
Hattiesburg
87.6
overall index
$1,275/mo rent

Hattiesburg is slightly cheaper than Bismarck — 3.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bismarck, you would need $77,000 in Hattiesburg. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing28.5%
Bismarck
84
Hattiesburg
60.1
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Bismarck
95.7
Hattiesburg
96.2
🚗 Transportation+5.4%
Bismarck
95.7
Hattiesburg
100.9
🏥 Healthcare+5.4%
Bismarck
86.6
Hattiesburg
91.3
Utilities+2.5%
Bismarck
75
Hattiesburg
76.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Hattiesburg, MS
$77,000
$3,000 less needed in Hattiesburg

Formula: salary × (87.6 ÷ 91) = salary × 0.9626. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Bismarck, ND

Median Home Price
$339,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,300
Housing Index
84
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.7×

Hattiesburg, MS

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

Bismarck has 28.5% lower housing costs compared to Hattiesburg.

Income & Job Market

Bismarck, ND

Median Household Income
$83,400
Per Capita Income
$47,500
Unemployment Rate
1.9%
Population
73,529
Top Industries
GovernmentEnergyHealthcareFinanceAgriculture

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).

Bismarck, ND
5.3×income-to-rent ratio

81% 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.