Living Cost Compare
Grand Rapids

Michigan

$1,200/mo est.

vs
Hattiesburg

Mississippi

$1,030/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,200 in Grand Rapids, MI versus $1,030 in Hattiesburg, MS. Overall, Hattiesburg, MS is roughly 14% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Grand Rapids, MI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,526 in Grand Rapids, MI and $44,140 in Hattiesburg, MS — about 33% higher in Grand Rapids, MI. Michigan has a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax; Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax.

Grand Rapids, MI
Hattiesburg, MS

Rent

Studio
$992
$630
+36% in Grand Rapids, MI
1 Bedroom
$964
$841
+13% in Grand Rapids, MI
2 Bedroom
$1,206
$980
+19% in Grand Rapids, MI
3 Bedroom
$1,421
$1,195
+16% in Grand Rapids, MI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$225,500
$153,600
+32% in Grand Rapids, MI

Income

Median Household Income
$65,526
$44,140
+33% in Grand Rapids, MI
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$47,570
$37,750
+21% in Grand Rapids, MI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
32.1 yr
28.7 yr
+3.4 yr in Grand Rapids, MI
Homeownership
54.6%
36.5%
+18.1 pp in Grand Rapids, MI
Bachelor's+ (25+)
40.1%
35.0%
+5.1 pp in Grand Rapids, MI
Avg Commute
19.4 min
17.0 min
+2.4 min in Grand Rapids, MI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
910.1
221.5
+76% in Grand Rapids, MI
Property Crime
2,506.2
3,475.7
+39% in Hattiesburg, MS

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
49.1°F
66.1°F
+17.0°F in Hattiesburg, MS
Annual Precipitation
38.3 in
59.2 in
+20.9 in in Hattiesburg, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.85/gal
$3.62/gal
+6% in Grand Rapids, MI

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
23.0
14.9
+35% in Grand Rapids, MI
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$19.72
$29.04
+47% in Hattiesburg, MS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.00
+7% in Grand Rapids, MI
Bread (lb)
$1.66
$1.75
+5% in Hattiesburg, MS
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
$2.21
+39% in Grand Rapids, MI
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.77
$6.45
+5% in Grand Rapids, MI
Chicken (lb)
$2.10
$1.90
+9% in Grand Rapids, MI
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MI / MS)
6%
7%
+1.0 pp in MS
Income Tax (top rate)
4.25%
4.00%
+0.3 pp in MI

Grand Rapids vs Hattiesburg — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Grand Rapids or Hattiesburg?
Hattiesburg, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 14% below Grand Rapids, MI's $1,200, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Grand Rapids than in Hattiesburg?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Grand Rapids versus $34,000 in Hattiesburg.
Which has lower taxes, Grand Rapids or Hattiesburg?
Grand Rapids is taxed under Michigan's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% 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).