Cost to Own
United States › Mississippi › Forrest County › Hattiesburg Population 48,507 Data vintage ACS 2023 5-Year Rates updated 2026-10-29
The part nobody budgets Even with the mortgage fully paid off, the median home here still costs $617 a month in taxes, insurance, utilities and upkeep. See the full Forrest County picture

Total monthly cost of ownership

Cost to Own a Home in Hattiesburg, Mississippi

A $154,000 home here costs

$1,457

per month, all in, with 20% down at today's 7.24% 30-year fixed rate. By the 28% rule that takes a household income of about $62,500 a year.

P&I 58%Tax 8%Insurance 10%Utilities 16%Upkeep 9%

A standard mortgage calculator would have told you $840. The real number is $617 higher every month, 74% more than the payment most buyers budget for.

Compare Forrest County with anywhere in America · full county breakdown

Hattiesburg median: $153,600
Under 20% adds PMI
Freddie Mac PMMS
MS average household

Where every dollar goes

Only the first line is a mortgage payment. Change any assumption above and every figure below recalculates.

Principal & interest30-year fixed, $123,200 borrowed $840
Property tax0.894% effective rate for Hattiesburg itself $115
Homeowners insuranceMississippi averages $1,766/yr (NAIC), or 1.087% of home value $139
Electricity14.43ยข/kWh, Mississippi residential average, EIA $167
Water, sewer & trashUS household average $68
Maintenance reserve1% of home value per year $128
Total monthly $1,457

Hattiesburg against Forrest County and Mississippi

MeasureHattiesburgForrest County
Median home value$153,600$152,900
Median property tax$1,373$1,284
Effective tax rate0.894%0.840%
Median gross rent$995$960
Population48,50778,027

Hattiesburg extends across 2 counties. Figures here use Forrest County, where most of its housing sits.

The weather behind that power bill

Hattiesburg sits in Forrest County, which averages a high of 91.8°F in its hottest month and a low of 38.1°F in its coldest, with 58.91" of precipitation a year and 28% of it in a single three-month stretch. That climate drives 2,479 cooling and 1,920 heating degree days, which is what sets the $167 electricity line above.

See the full climate breakdown for Forrest County , month by month temperatures, rainy season timing, snowfall and heating and cooling costs.

Other cities in Forrest County

Full Forrest County cost breakdown · Every county in Mississippi

Talk to someone who works this market

These are Hattiesburg averages. What one specific house costs to own, or what it would sell for today, depends on the street and the condition of the place. We will connect you with one licensed local agent who works Hattiesburg every week. Free, no obligation, and we never sell your details to a list.

I'm looking to buy in Hattiesburg I already own here and may sell

Common questions

How much does it cost to own a home in Hattiesburg?

A $154,000 home in Hattiesburg, Mississippi costs approximately $1,457 per month with 20% down at 7.24%. That is $840 principal and interest, $115 property tax, $139 homeowners insurance, $235 utilities and $128 set aside for maintenance.

What is the property tax rate in Hattiesburg?

Hattiesburg has an effective property tax rate of 0.894%, based on a median home value of $153,600 and median real estate taxes of $1,373. That is higher than the Forrest County average of 0.840%.

What is the average home price in Hattiesburg?

The median owner-occupied home value in Hattiesburg, Mississippi is $153,600, against $152,900 across Forrest County.

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Hattiesburg?

Median gross rent in Hattiesburg is $995 a month, against $1,457 to own the median home all in. Renting costs less month to month here, though renting builds no equity.

What salary do you need to buy a home in Hattiesburg?

Using the standard 28% rule, housing costs at no more than 28% of gross income, buying the median home in Hattiesburg, Mississippi at today's rate takes a household income of roughly $62,500 a year. That covers the full $1,457 monthly cost, not just the mortgage payment.

Sources & methodology

  • Median home value, real estate taxes, gross rent and population for Hattiesburg, US Census Bureau, American Community Survey ACS 2023 5-Year, place-level tables.
  • Homeowners insurance, NAIC average premium for Mississippi.
  • Electricity price, EIA Electric Power Monthly Table 5.6.A.
  • Mortgage rate, Freddie Mac PMMS, refreshed weekly.
  • Maintenance (1%/yr) and water and sewer ($68/mo) are national estimates. Every assumption above is editable.

Full methodology