Cost to Own
United States › Mississippi › Jones County › Laurel Population 17,129 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 $534 a month in taxes, insurance, utilities and upkeep. See the full Jones County picture

Total monthly cost of ownership

Cost to Own a Home in Laurel, Mississippi

A $110,000 home here costs

$1,134

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 $48,500 a year.

P&I 53%Tax 10%Insurance 9%Utilities 21%Upkeep 8%

A standard mortgage calculator would have told you $600. The real number is $534 higher every month, 89% more than the payment most buyers budget for.

Compare Jones County with anywhere in America · full county breakdown

Laurel median: $110,200
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, $88,000 borrowed $600
Property tax1.176% effective rate for Laurel itself $108
Homeowners insuranceMississippi averages $1,766/yr (NAIC), or 1.087% of home value $100
Electricity14.43ยข/kWh, Mississippi residential average, EIA $167
Water, sewer & trashUS household average $68
Maintenance reserve1% of home value per year $92
Total monthly $1,134

Laurel against Jones County and Mississippi

MeasureLaurelJones County
Median home value$110,200$126,800
Median property tax$1,296$1,116
Effective tax rate1.176%0.880%
Median gross rent$839$810
Population17,12966,839

The weather behind that power bill

Laurel sits in Jones County, which averages a high of 93.2°F in its hottest month and a low of 34.6°F in its coldest, with 59.64" of precipitation a year and 28% of it in a single three-month stretch. That climate drives 2,342 cooling and 2,138 heating degree days, which is what sets the $167 electricity line above.

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

Other cities in Jones County

Full Jones County cost breakdown · Every county in Mississippi

Talk to someone who works this market

These are Laurel 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 Laurel every week. Free, no obligation, and we never sell your details to a list.

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

Common questions

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

A $110,000 home in Laurel, Mississippi costs approximately $1,134 per month with 20% down at 7.24%. That is $600 principal and interest, $108 property tax, $100 homeowners insurance, $235 utilities and $92 set aside for maintenance.

What is the property tax rate in Laurel?

Laurel has an effective property tax rate of 1.176%, based on a median home value of $110,200 and median real estate taxes of $1,296. That is higher than the Jones County average of 0.880%.

What is the average home price in Laurel?

The median owner-occupied home value in Laurel, Mississippi is $110,200, against $126,800 across Jones County.

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Laurel?

Median gross rent in Laurel is $839 a month, against $1,134 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 Laurel?

Using the standard 28% rule, housing costs at no more than 28% of gross income, buying the median home in Laurel, Mississippi at today's rate takes a household income of roughly $48,500 a year. That covers the full $1,134 monthly cost, not just the mortgage payment.

Sources & methodology

  • Median home value, real estate taxes, gross rent and population for Laurel, 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