CostIndexUSA

Hattiesburg, MS vs Washington, DC Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableMS
Hattiesburg
87.6
overall index
$1,275/mo rent
DC
Washington
108.9
overall index
$2,325/mo rent

Hattiesburg is significantly cheaper than Washington — 24.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Hattiesburg, you would need $99,500 in Washington. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+151.4%
Hattiesburg
60.1
Washington
151.1
🛒 Groceries+8.9%
Hattiesburg
96.2
Washington
104.8
🚗 Transportation+6.4%
Hattiesburg
100.9
Washington
107.4
🏥 Healthcare+6.5%
Hattiesburg
91.3
Washington
97.2
Utilities+38.8%
Hattiesburg
76.9
Washington
106.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Washington, DC
$99,500
$19,500 more needed in Washington

Formula: salary × (108.9 ÷ 87.6) = salary × 1.2432. 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×

Washington, DC

Median Home Price
$567,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,325
Housing Index
151.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.3×

Washington has 151.4% 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

Washington, DC

Median Household Income
$121,500
Per Capita Income
$69,300
Unemployment Rate
4%
Population
689,545
Top Industries
GovernmentFinanceTechnologyHealthcareDefense

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)

Washington, DC
4.4×income-to-rent ratio

77% 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.