Is it cheaper to live in Hattiesburg or Richmond?

Hattiesburg, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 26% below Richmond, VA's $1,400, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Hattiesburg versus $48,000 in Richmond.

Which has lower taxes, Hattiesburg or Richmond?

Hattiesburg is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Richmond under Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax).

Hattiesburg vs Richmond Cost of Living 2026

Hattiesburg

Mississippi

$1,030/mo est.

Richmond

Virginia

$1,400/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 $1,400 in Richmond, VA. Overall, Hattiesburg, MS is roughly 26% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Richmond, VA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $44,140 in Hattiesburg, MS and $62,671 in Richmond, VA — about 30% higher in Richmond, VA. Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax; Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax.

Hattiesburg, MS

Richmond, VA

Rent

Studio

$630

$1,183

+88% in Richmond, VA

1 Bedroom

$841

$1,195

+42% in Richmond, VA

2 Bedroom

$980

$1,374

+40% in Richmond, VA

3 Bedroom

$1,195

$1,447

+21% in Richmond, VA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$153,600

$328,100

+114% in Richmond, VA

Income

Median Household Income

$44,140

$62,671

+42% in Richmond, VA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$37,750

$51,460

+36% in Richmond, VA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

28.7 yr

34.5 yr

+5.8 yr in Richmond, VA

Homeownership

36.5%

43.5%

+7.0 pp in Richmond, VA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.0%

44.1%

+9.1 pp in Richmond, VA

Avg Commute

17.0 min

22.1 min

+5.1 min in Richmond, VA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

221.5

349

+58% in Richmond, VA

Property Crime

3,475.7

3,240.2

+7% 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

58.9°F

+7.2°F in Hattiesburg, MS

Annual Precipitation

59.2 in

43.6 in

+15.6 in in Hattiesburg, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.94/gal

+9% in Richmond, VA

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.9

17.2

+16% in Richmond, VA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$29.04

$27.20

+6% in Hattiesburg, MS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.75

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MS / VA)

5.3%

+1.7 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

4.00%

5.75%

+1.8 pp in VA

Hattiesburg vs Richmond — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Hattiesburg or Richmond?: Hattiesburg, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 26% below Richmond, VA's $1,400, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Hattiesburg than in Richmond?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Hattiesburg versus $48,000 in Richmond.
Which has lower taxes, Hattiesburg or Richmond?: Hattiesburg is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Richmond under Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% 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).