Cost of Living in Laurel
Laurel's cost of living runs genuinely affordable on housing and rent, offset by the highest effective property tax rate cited among Jones County cities.
Exploring the idea of moving?
We can connect you with a local real estate professional who knows the area -- no pressure, just a starting point.
Learn moreGenuinely affordable housing and rent
Laurel's housing runs genuinely affordable (cited $110,200-$143,159 depending on source), and average rent ran approximately $987/month per one source -- both well below national medians.
The county's highest property tax rate
Laurel's effective property tax rate (~1.40%) runs as the highest cited among Jones County cities, above the county's own broader median (~1.30%) and the national median (~1.02%).
A favorable, phasing-down state income tax
Mississippi's real, current flat 4.0% income tax (2026) is legislated to phase down to 0% by 2037, and the state fully exempts all qualified retirement income.
Key takeaways
- Laurel's housing and rent both run genuinely below national medians.
- Laurel's effective property tax rate (~1.40%) leads Jones County.
- Mississippi's income tax is phasing toward zero, with full retirement-income exemption already in place.
Want to know what your budget actually buys here?
Tell us a bit about what you're looking for and we'll connect you with someone local who can walk you through real numbers.
Get local guidanceRead the full Laurel overview for the complete picture -- housing, taxes, climate, and who this place genuinely fits.
Planning a move?
Tell us what you're looking for and we'll connect you with a local expert who can help you make it happen.
Talk to a local expert