Is it cheaper to live in Hattiesburg or Madison?

Hattiesburg, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Madison, WI's $1,420, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Hattiesburg versus $49,000 in Madison.

Which has lower taxes, Hattiesburg or Madison?

Hattiesburg is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Madison under Wisconsin's (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax).

Hattiesburg vs Madison Cost of Living 2026

Hattiesburg

Mississippi

$1,030/mo est.

Madison

Wisconsin

$1,420/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 $1,420 in Madison, WI. Overall, Hattiesburg, MS is roughly 27% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Madison, WI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $44,140 in Hattiesburg, MS and $76,983 in Madison, WI — about 43% higher in Madison, WI. Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax; Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.

Hattiesburg, MS

Madison, WI

Rent

Studio

$630

$1,018

+62% in Madison, WI

1 Bedroom

$841

$1,219

+45% in Madison, WI

2 Bedroom

$980

$1,432

+46% in Madison, WI

3 Bedroom

$1,195

$1,766

+48% in Madison, WI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$153,600

$346,900

+126% in Madison, WI

Income

Median Household Income

$44,140

$76,983

+74% in Madison, WI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$37,750

$58,080

+54% in Madison, WI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

28.7 yr

31.8 yr

+3.1 yr in Madison, WI

Homeownership

36.5%

46.6%

+10.1 pp in Madison, WI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.0%

59.2%

+24.2 pp in Madison, WI

Avg Commute

17.0 min

19.4 min

+2.4 min in Madison, WI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

221.5

259.5

+17% in Madison, WI

Property Crime

3,475.7

1,884.5

+46% 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

46.5°F

+19.6°F in Hattiesburg, MS

Annual Precipitation

59.2 in

34.5 in

+24.7 in in Hattiesburg, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.85/gal

+6% in Madison, WI

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.9

19.6

+31% in Madison, WI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$29.04

$18.17

+37% in Hattiesburg, MS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Madison, WI

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Hattiesburg, MS

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Madison, WI

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Madison, WI

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Madison, WI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MS / WI)

+2.0 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

4.00%

7.65%

+3.7 pp in WI

Hattiesburg vs Madison — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Hattiesburg or Madison?: Hattiesburg, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Madison, WI's $1,420, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Hattiesburg than in Madison?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Hattiesburg versus $49,000 in Madison.
Which has lower taxes, Hattiesburg or Madison?: Hattiesburg is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Madison under Wisconsin's (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 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).