Is it cheaper to live in Hattiesburg or Lincoln?

They're close. Hattiesburg, MS runs about $1,030 a month and Lincoln, NE about $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) — within a few percent of each other.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Hattiesburg versus $35,000 in Lincoln.

Which has lower taxes, Hattiesburg or Lincoln?

Hattiesburg is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Lincoln under Nebraska's (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax).

Hattiesburg vs Lincoln Cost of Living 2026

Hattiesburg

Mississippi

$1,030/mo est.

Lincoln

Nebraska

$1,030/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 $1,030 in Lincoln, NE. The two are close overall, within a few percent of each other.

Median household income is $44,140 in Hattiesburg, MS and $69,991 in Lincoln, NE — about 37% higher in Lincoln, NE. Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax; Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax.

Hattiesburg, MS

Lincoln, NE

Rent

Studio

$630

$851

+35% in Lincoln, NE

1 Bedroom

$841

$879

+5% in Lincoln, NE

2 Bedroom

$980

$1,070

+9% in Lincoln, NE

3 Bedroom

$1,195

$1,379

+15% in Lincoln, NE

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$153,600

$248,200

+62% in Lincoln, NE

Income

Median Household Income

$44,140

$69,991

+59% in Lincoln, NE

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$37,750

$49,800

+32% in Lincoln, NE

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

28.7 yr

33.4 yr

+4.7 yr in Lincoln, NE

Homeownership

36.5%

55.8%

+19.3 pp in Lincoln, NE

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.0%

41.0%

+6.0 pp in Lincoln, NE

Avg Commute

17.0 min

18.3 min

+1.3 min in Lincoln, NE

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

221.5

363.1

+64% in Lincoln, NE

Property Crime

3,475.7

2,484.4

+29% 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

51.5°F

+14.6°F in Hattiesburg, MS

Annual Precipitation

59.2 in

30.9 in

+28.3 in in Hattiesburg, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.85/gal

+6% in Lincoln, NE

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.9

13.3

+11% in Hattiesburg, MS

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$29.04

$20.10

+31% in Hattiesburg, MS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Lincoln, NE

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Hattiesburg, MS

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Lincoln, NE

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Lincoln, NE

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Lincoln, NE

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MS / NE)

5.5%

+1.5 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

4.00%

4.55%

+0.5 pp in NE

Hattiesburg vs Lincoln — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Hattiesburg or Lincoln?: They're close. Hattiesburg, MS runs about $1,030 a month and Lincoln, NE about $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) — within a few percent of each other.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Hattiesburg than in Lincoln?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Hattiesburg versus $35,000 in Lincoln.
Which has lower taxes, Hattiesburg or Lincoln?: Hattiesburg is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Lincoln under Nebraska's (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% 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).