Is it cheaper to live in Hattiesburg or Idaho Falls?

Idaho Falls, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 6% below Hattiesburg, MS's $1,030, mainly because of natural gas costs.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Hattiesburg versus $33,000 in Idaho Falls.

Which has lower taxes, Hattiesburg or Idaho Falls?

Hattiesburg is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Idaho Falls under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax).

Hattiesburg vs Idaho Falls Cost of Living 2026

Hattiesburg

Mississippi

$1,030/mo est.

Idaho Falls

Idaho

$970/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,030 in Hattiesburg, MS versus $970 in Idaho Falls, ID. Overall, Idaho Falls, ID is roughly 6% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Hattiesburg, MS, driven mainly by natural gas costs.

Median household income is $44,140 in Hattiesburg, MS and $69,630 in Idaho Falls, ID — about 37% higher in Idaho Falls, ID. Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax; Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.

Hattiesburg, MS

Idaho Falls, ID

Rent

Studio

$630

$818

+30% in Idaho Falls, ID

1 Bedroom

$841

$827

+2% in Hattiesburg, MS

2 Bedroom

$980

$957

+2% in Hattiesburg, MS

3 Bedroom

$1,195

$1,278

+7% in Idaho Falls, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$153,600

$298,600

+94% in Idaho Falls, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$44,140

$69,630

+58% in Idaho Falls, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$37,750

$46,800

+24% in Idaho Falls, ID

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

28.7 yr

33.5 yr

+4.8 yr in Idaho Falls, ID

Homeownership

36.5%

64.1%

+27.6 pp in Idaho Falls, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.0%

31.0%

+4.0 pp in Hattiesburg, MS

Avg Commute

17.0 min

18.2 min

+1.2 min in Idaho Falls, ID

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

221.5

365.3

+65% in Idaho Falls, ID

Property Crime

3,475.7

1,235.5

+64% 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

66.1°F

44.2°F

+21.9°F in Hattiesburg, MS

Annual Precipitation

59.2 in

10.4 in

+48.8 in in Hattiesburg, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$4.27/gal

+18% in Idaho Falls, ID

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.9

14.4

+3% in Hattiesburg, MS

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$29.04

$11.33

+61% in Hattiesburg, MS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Idaho Falls, ID

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Idaho Falls, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Hattiesburg, MS

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Idaho Falls, ID

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Idaho Falls, ID

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Idaho Falls, ID

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MS / ID)

+1.0 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

4.00%

5.30%

+1.3 pp in ID

Hattiesburg vs Idaho Falls — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Hattiesburg or Idaho Falls?: Idaho Falls, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 6% below Hattiesburg, MS's $1,030, mainly because of natural gas costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Hattiesburg than in Idaho Falls?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Hattiesburg versus $33,000 in Idaho Falls.
Which has lower taxes, Hattiesburg or Idaho Falls?: Hattiesburg is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Idaho Falls under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% 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).