Is it cheaper to live in Denver or Hattiesburg?

Hattiesburg, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 41% below Denver, CO's $1,760, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Denver than in Hattiesburg?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Denver versus $34,000 in Hattiesburg.

Which has lower taxes, Denver or Hattiesburg?

Denver is taxed under Colorado's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax); Hattiesburg under Mississippi's (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax).

Denver vs Hattiesburg Cost of Living 2026

Denver

Colorado

$1,760/mo est.

Hattiesburg

Mississippi

$1,030/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,760 in Denver, CO versus $1,030 in Hattiesburg, MS. Overall, Hattiesburg, MS is roughly 41% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Denver, CO, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $91,681 in Denver, CO and $44,140 in Hattiesburg, MS — about 52% higher in Denver, CO. Colorado has a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax; Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax.

Denver, CO

Hattiesburg, MS

Rent

Studio

$1,497

$630

+58% in Denver, CO

1 Bedroom

$1,583

$841

+47% in Denver, CO

2 Bedroom

$1,958

$980

+50% in Denver, CO

3 Bedroom

$2,269

$1,195

+47% in Denver, CO

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$586,700

$153,600

+74% in Denver, CO

Income

Median Household Income

$91,681

$44,140

+52% in Denver, CO

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$62,320

$37,750

+39% in Denver, CO

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

28.7 yr

+6.5 yr in Denver, CO

Homeownership

49.1%

36.5%

+12.6 pp in Denver, CO

Bachelor's+ (25+)

55.6%

35.0%

+20.6 pp in Denver, CO

Avg Commute

25.4 min

17.0 min

+8.4 min in Denver, CO

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

999.3

221.5

+78% in Denver, CO

Property Crime

4,781.1

3,475.7

+27% in Denver, CO

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

50.2°F

66.1°F

+15.9°F in Hattiesburg, MS

Annual Precipitation

15.6 in

59.2 in

+43.6 in in Hattiesburg, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.16/gal

$3.62/gal

+13% in Denver, CO

Area: Denver vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.75

—

Adult base one-way fare — RTD vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

17.1

14.9

+13% in Denver, CO

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.05

$29.04

+93% in Hattiesburg, MS

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.00

+17% in Denver, CO

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.75

+14% in Denver, CO

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Hattiesburg, MS

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.45

+12% in Denver, CO

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$1.90

+6% in Denver, CO

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Denver, CO

Average prices — West vs South (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CO / MS)

2.9%

+4.1 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

4.40%

4.00%

+0.4 pp in CO

Denver vs Hattiesburg — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Denver or Hattiesburg?: Hattiesburg, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 41% below Denver, CO's $1,760, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Denver than in Hattiesburg?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Denver versus $34,000 in Hattiesburg.
Which has lower taxes, Denver or Hattiesburg?: Denver is taxed under Colorado's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax); Hattiesburg under Mississippi's (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).