CostIndexUSA

Hattiesburg, MS vs Milwaukee, WI Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableMS
Hattiesburg
87.6
overall index
$1,275/mo rent
WI
Milwaukee
96.9
overall index
$1,450/mo rent

Hattiesburg is moderately cheaper than Milwaukee — 10.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Hattiesburg, you would need $88,500 in Milwaukee. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+61.6%
Hattiesburg
60.1
Milwaukee
97.1
🛒 Groceries2.5%
Hattiesburg
96.2
Milwaukee
93.8
🚗 Transportation+3.5%
Hattiesburg
100.9
Milwaukee
104.4
🏥 Healthcare+3.4%
Hattiesburg
91.3
Milwaukee
94.4
Utilities+19.1%
Hattiesburg
76.9
Milwaukee
91.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Milwaukee, WI
$88,500
$8,500 more needed in Milwaukee

Formula: salary × (96.9 ÷ 87.6) = salary × 1.1062. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Hattiesburg, MS

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

Milwaukee, WI

Median Home Price
$363,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,450
Housing Index
97.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.9×

Milwaukee has 61.6% higher housing costs compared to Hattiesburg.

Income & Job Market

Hattiesburg, MS

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

Milwaukee, WI

Median Household Income
$77,000
Per Capita Income
$43,900
Unemployment Rate
3.1%
Population
577,222
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareFinanceEducationRetail

Affordability at a Glance

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

Hattiesburg, MS
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

72% of income left after rent (median)

Milwaukee, WI
4.4×income-to-rent ratio

77% 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.