Is it cheaper to live in Hattiesburg or Pittsburgh?

Hattiesburg, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 22% below Pittsburgh, PA's $1,320, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Hattiesburg versus $43,000 in Pittsburgh.

Which has lower taxes, Hattiesburg or Pittsburgh?

Hattiesburg is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Pittsburgh under Pennsylvania's (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax).

Hattiesburg vs Pittsburgh Cost of Living 2026

Hattiesburg

Mississippi

$1,030/mo est.

Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania

$1,320/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 $1,320 in Pittsburgh, PA. Overall, Hattiesburg, MS is roughly 22% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Pittsburgh, PA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $44,140 in Hattiesburg, MS and $64,137 in Pittsburgh, PA — about 31% higher in Pittsburgh, PA. Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax; Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax.

Hattiesburg, MS

Pittsburgh, PA

Rent

Studio

$630

$1,109

+76% in Pittsburgh, PA

1 Bedroom

$841

$1,079

+28% in Pittsburgh, PA

2 Bedroom

$980

$1,269

+29% in Pittsburgh, PA

3 Bedroom

$1,195

$1,450

+21% in Pittsburgh, PA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$153,600

$193,200

+26% in Pittsburgh, PA

Income

Median Household Income

$44,140

$64,137

+45% in Pittsburgh, PA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$37,750

$49,650

+32% in Pittsburgh, PA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

28.7 yr

33.5 yr

+4.8 yr in Pittsburgh, PA

Homeownership

36.5%

47.2%

+10.7 pp in Pittsburgh, PA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.0%

47.8%

+12.8 pp in Pittsburgh, PA

Avg Commute

17.0 min

23.1 min

+6.1 min in Pittsburgh, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

221.5

436

+97% in Pittsburgh, PA

Property Crime

3,475.7

2,315.7

+33% 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

51.8°F

+14.3°F in Hattiesburg, MS

Annual Precipitation

59.2 in

39.3 in

+19.9 in in Hattiesburg, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.94/gal

+9% in Pittsburgh, PA

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.9

21.7

+46% in Pittsburgh, PA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$29.04

$26.08

+10% in Hattiesburg, MS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Pittsburgh, PA

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Pittsburgh, PA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Hattiesburg, MS

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Pittsburgh, PA

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Pittsburgh, PA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Pittsburgh, PA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MS / PA)

+1.0 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

4.00%

3.07%

+0.9 pp in MS

Hattiesburg vs Pittsburgh — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Hattiesburg or Pittsburgh?: Hattiesburg, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 22% below Pittsburgh, PA's $1,320, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Hattiesburg than in Pittsburgh?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Hattiesburg versus $43,000 in Pittsburgh.
Which has lower taxes, Hattiesburg or Pittsburgh?: Hattiesburg is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Pittsburgh under Pennsylvania's (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% 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).