Cost of Living in Hattiesburg
Hattiesburg's cost-of-living picture centers on real, genuine affordability -- Zillow's average home value ran approximately $224,680, with rent running roughly 44% below the national average -- alongside Mississippi's real, declining flat income tax and a real, disclosed elevated homeowners-insurance cost this record does not omit.
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Learn moreHousing Runs Genuinely Affordable, With a Real, Disclosed Value-vs-Sold-Price Spread
As detailed on the housing-market topic page, Hattiesburg's average home value ran approximately $224,680 as of June 2026 (per Zillow, up ~3.0% YoY), while a separate source cited a notably higher median SOLD price of approximately $269,900 -- both figures cited below typical current national home-value levels, though this record did not independently reconcile the two sources' precise geographic scope.
Mississippi's Income Tax Runs Comparatively Low and Is Still Declining
As detailed on the taxes topic page, Mississippi's real, current 2026 flat income tax rate runs 4.0% on taxable income above a $10,000 exemption -- continuing a real, legislated decline from 5.0% in 2023, with further declines to 3.75% (2027) and beyond legislated (subject to real, disclosed revenue-growth-trigger uncertainty past 2030).
Rent Runs Genuinely Affordable
As detailed on the renting topic page, RentCafe's cited overall average apartment rent (all unit types) ran approximately $1,238/month, roughly 44% below the national average; one-bedroom-specific figures ranged from approximately $888 to $987 depending on source.
Mississippi's Grocery Sales Tax Was Real, Recently Cut
As detailed on the taxes topic page, Mississippi's real, current state sales tax rate on most grocery food dropped to 5% (from 7%) effective July 1, 2025 -- the first grocery-tax cut since 1992 -- though hot prepared food, deli items, and alcohol remain taxable at the full 7% rate.
Homeowners Insurance Runs Real, Currently Elevated
As detailed on the homeowners-insurance topic page, one source cited Hattiesburg's average annual homeowners-insurance premium at approximately $4,578 -- roughly 76% above the national average and 9% above the Mississippi state average -- reflecting the area's real, disclosed tornado and inland hurricane-wind exposure.
Key takeaways
- Hattiesburg's average home value ran approximately $224,680 as of June 2026 per Zillow, well below typical current national figures.
- Mississippi's real, current 4.0% flat 2026 income tax rate continues a multi-year legislated decline and applies only above a $10,000 exemption threshold.
- Rent runs genuinely affordable -- RentCafe's overall average ran approximately $1,238/month, roughly 44% below the national average.
- Mississippi's grocery sales tax dropped to 5% (from 7%) effective July 1, 2025, the first cut since 1992.
- Homeowners insurance runs real, currently elevated (~$4,578/year cited, ~76% above the national average) given the area's tornado and inland hurricane-wind exposure.
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