CostIndexUSA

Hattiesburg, MS vs Panama City, FL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableMS
Hattiesburg
87.6
overall index
$1,275/mo rent
FL
Panama City
97.3
overall index
$1,700/mo rent

Hattiesburg is moderately cheaper than Panama City — 11.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Hattiesburg, you would need $88,900 in Panama City. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+60.4%
Hattiesburg
60.1
Panama City
96.4
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Hattiesburg
96.2
Panama City
96.2
🚗 Transportation+2.9%
Hattiesburg
100.9
Panama City
103.8
🏥 Healthcare+2.8%
Hattiesburg
91.3
Panama City
93.9
Utilities+14.6%
Hattiesburg
76.9
Panama City
88.1

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Panama City, FL
$88,900
$8,900 more needed in Panama City

Formula: salary × (97.3 ÷ 87.6) = salary × 1.1107. 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×

Panama City, FL

Median Home Price
$337,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,700
Housing Index
96.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.5×

Panama City has 60.4% 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

Panama City, FL

Median Household Income
$69,700
Per Capita Income
$39,700
Unemployment Rate
3%
Population
36,877
Top Industries
MilitaryTourismHealthcareManufacturingRetail

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)

Panama City, FL
3.4×income-to-rent ratio

71% 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.