CostIndexUSA

Hattiesburg, MS vs San Luis Obispo, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableMS
Hattiesburg
87.6
overall index
$1,275/mo rent
CA
San Luis Obispo
108.6
overall index
$3,000/mo rent

Hattiesburg is significantly cheaper than San Luis Obispo — 24.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Hattiesburg, you would need $99,200 in San Luis Obispo. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+140.3%
Hattiesburg
60.1
San Luis Obispo
144.4
🛒 Groceries+9.4%
Hattiesburg
96.2
San Luis Obispo
105.2
🚗 Transportation+4.4%
Hattiesburg
100.9
San Luis Obispo
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+4.4%
Hattiesburg
91.3
San Luis Obispo
95.3
Utilities+92.2%
Hattiesburg
76.9
San Luis Obispo
147.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in San Luis Obispo, CA
$99,200
$19,200 more needed in San Luis Obispo

Formula: salary × (108.6 ÷ 87.6) = salary × 1.2397. 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×

San Luis Obispo, CA

Median Home Price
$880,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,000
Housing Index
144.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
24.4×

San Luis Obispo has 140.3% 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

San Luis Obispo, CA

Median Household Income
$90,700
Per Capita Income
$51,700
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
47,536
Top Industries
EducationTourismAgricultureHealthcareTechnology

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)

San Luis Obispo, CA
2.5×income-to-rent ratio

60% 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.