Living Cost Compare
Hattiesburg

Mississippi

$1,030/mo est.

vs
New York City

New York

$2,010/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 $2,010 in New York City, NY. Overall, Hattiesburg, MS is roughly 49% cheaper to live in day-to-day than New York City, NY, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $44,140 in Hattiesburg, MS and $79,713 in New York City, NY — about 45% higher in New York City, NY. Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax; New York has a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax.

Rent

Studio
$630
$1,633
+159% in New York City, NY
1 Bedroom
$841
$1,705
+103% in New York City, NY
2 Bedroom
$980
$1,781
+82% in New York City, NY
3 Bedroom
$1,195
$2,065
+73% in New York City, NY

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$153,600
$751,700
+389% in New York City, NY

Income

Median Household Income
$44,140
$79,713
+81% in New York City, NY
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$37,750
$61,430
+63% in New York City, NY

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
28.7 yr
38.0 yr
+9.3 yr in New York City, NY
Homeownership
36.5%
32.8%
+3.7 pp in Hattiesburg, MS
Bachelor's+ (25+)
35.0%
41.0%
+6.0 pp in New York City, NY
Avg Commute
17.0 min
40.6 min
+23.6 min in New York City, NY

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
221.5
694
+213% in New York City, NY
Property Crime
3,475.7
2,415.4
+31% 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
55.0°F
+11.1°F in Hattiesburg, MS
Annual Precipitation
59.2 in
49.9 in
+9.2 in in Hattiesburg, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.62/gal
$4.08/gal
+13% in New York City, NY

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs New York City.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
$3.00

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
14.9
29.5
+98% in New York City, NY
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$29.04
$27.01
+7% in Hattiesburg, MS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.00
$4.31
+8% in New York City, NY
Bread (lb)
$1.75
$1.92
+10% in New York City, NY
Eggs (doz)
$2.21
$2.19
+1% in Hattiesburg, MS
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.45
$6.90
+7% in New York City, NY
Chicken (lb)
$1.90
$2.19
+15% in New York City, NY
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.69
+12% in New York City, NY

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MS / NY)
7%
4%
+3.0 pp in MS
Income Tax (top rate)
4.00%
10.90%
+6.9 pp in NY

Hattiesburg vs New York City — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Hattiesburg or New York City?
Hattiesburg, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 49% below New York City, NY's $2,010, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Hattiesburg than in New York City?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Hattiesburg versus $68,000 in New York City.
Which has lower taxes, Hattiesburg or New York City?
Hattiesburg is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); New York City under New York's (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% 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).