CostIndexUSA

Fort Wayne, IN vs Hattiesburg, MS Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

IN
Fort Wayne
92.6
overall index
$1,150/mo rent
More AffordableMS
Hattiesburg
87.6
overall index
$1,275/mo rent

Hattiesburg is moderately cheaper than Fort Wayne — 5.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Fort Wayne, you would need $75,700 in Hattiesburg. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing16.9%
Fort Wayne
72.3
Hattiesburg
60.1
🛒 Groceries+2.0%
Fort Wayne
94.3
Hattiesburg
96.2
🚗 Transportation3.1%
Fort Wayne
104.1
Hattiesburg
100.9
🏥 Healthcare3.1%
Fort Wayne
94.2
Hattiesburg
91.3
Utilities10.8%
Fort Wayne
86.2
Hattiesburg
76.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Fort Wayne to see what you'd need to earn in Hattiesburg to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Hattiesburg, MS
$75,700
$4,300 less needed in Hattiesburg

Formula: salary × (87.6 ÷ 92.6) = salary × 0.9460. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Fort Wayne, IN

Median Home Price
$245,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,150
Housing Index
72.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.8×

Hattiesburg, MS

Median Home Price
$208,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,275
Housing Index
60.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.6×

Fort Wayne has 16.9% lower housing costs compared to Hattiesburg.

Income & Job Market

Fort Wayne, IN

Median Household Income
$66,300
Per Capita Income
$37,800
Unemployment Rate
4%
Population
270,402
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingFinanceRetailGovernment

Hattiesburg, MS

Median Household Income
$55,300
Per Capita Income
$31,500
Unemployment Rate
2.8%
Population
46,765
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareMilitaryManufacturingRetail

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Fort Wayne, IN
4.8×income-to-rent ratio

79% of income left after rent (median)

Hattiesburg, MS
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

72% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.