Living Cost Compare
Hattiesburg

Mississippi

$1,030/mo est.

vs
Sioux Falls

South Dakota

$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 Sioux Falls, SD. The two are close overall, within a few percent of each other.

Median household income is $44,140 in Hattiesburg, MS and $74,714 in Sioux Falls, SD — about 41% higher in Sioux Falls, SD. Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax; South Dakota has no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax.

Hattiesburg, MS
Sioux Falls, SD

Rent

Studio
$630
$825
+31% in Sioux Falls, SD
1 Bedroom
$841
$870
+3% in Sioux Falls, SD
2 Bedroom
$980
$1,000
+2% in Sioux Falls, SD
3 Bedroom
$1,195
$1,237
+4% in Sioux Falls, SD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$153,600
$271,400
+77% in Sioux Falls, SD

Income

Median Household Income
$44,140
$74,714
+69% in Sioux Falls, SD
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$37,750
$47,970
+27% in Sioux Falls, SD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
28.7 yr
35.1 yr
+6.4 yr in Sioux Falls, SD
Homeownership
36.5%
60.0%
+23.5 pp in Sioux Falls, SD
Bachelor's+ (25+)
35.0%
37.4%
+2.4 pp in Sioux Falls, SD
Avg Commute
17.0 min
17.0 min
about equal

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
221.5
526.7
+138% in Sioux Falls, SD
Property Crime
3,475.7
2,927.1
+16% 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
45.8°F
+20.3°F in Hattiesburg, MS
Annual Precipitation
59.2 in
26.4 in
+32.8 in in Hattiesburg, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.62/gal
$3.85/gal
+6% in Sioux Falls, SD

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
14.9
15.4
+3% in Sioux Falls, SD
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$29.04
$15.26
+47% in Hattiesburg, MS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.00
$4.31
+8% in Sioux Falls, SD
Bread (lb)
$1.75
$1.66
+5% in Hattiesburg, MS
Eggs (doz)
$2.21
$3.63
+64% in Sioux Falls, SD
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.45
$6.77
+5% in Sioux Falls, SD
Chicken (lb)
$1.90
$2.10
+10% in Sioux Falls, SD
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MS / SD)
7%
4.2%
+2.8 pp in MS
Income Tax (top rate)
4.00%
None
+4.0 pp in MS

Hattiesburg vs Sioux Falls — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Hattiesburg or Sioux Falls?
They're close. Hattiesburg, MS runs about $1,030 a month and Sioux Falls, SD 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 Sioux Falls?
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 Sioux Falls.
Which has lower taxes, Hattiesburg or Sioux Falls?
Hattiesburg is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Sioux Falls under South Dakota's (no state income tax and a 4.2% 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).