CostIndexUSA

Hattiesburg, MS vs Mesa, AZ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableMS
Hattiesburg
87.6
overall index
$1,275/mo rent
AZ
Mesa
103.3
overall index
$1,725/mo rent

Hattiesburg is significantly cheaper than Mesa — 17.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Hattiesburg, you would need $94,300 in Mesa. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+101.7%
Hattiesburg
60.1
Mesa
121.2
🛒 Groceries1.2%
Hattiesburg
96.2
Mesa
95
🚗 Transportation+8.2%
Hattiesburg
100.9
Mesa
109.2
🏥 Healthcare+8.2%
Hattiesburg
91.3
Mesa
98.8
Utilities+21.3%
Hattiesburg
76.9
Mesa
93.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Mesa, AZ
$94,300
$14,300 more needed in Mesa

Formula: salary × (103.3 ÷ 87.6) = salary × 1.1792. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Hattiesburg, MS

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

Mesa, AZ

Median Home Price
$442,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,725
Housing Index
121.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.4×

Mesa has 101.7% higher housing costs compared to Hattiesburg.

Income & Job Market

Hattiesburg, MS

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

Mesa, AZ

Median Household Income
$85,700
Per Capita Income
$48,800
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
518,012
Top Industries
TechnologyHealthcareRetailManufacturingAerospace

Affordability at a Glance

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

Hattiesburg, MS
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

72% of income left after rent (median)

Mesa, AZ
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.