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Hattiesburg, MS

Cost of living in Forrest County, MS

Part of the Hattiesburg Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$2,750/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 78,027 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $952 35%
Healthcare $480 17%
Federal tax $324 12%
Transport $320 12%
Groceries $298 11%
Energy $197 7%
State tax $124 5%
Water $55 2%

Rent in Forrest County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$851
per month
1 bedroom
$952
per month
2 bedroom
$1,143
per month
3 bedroom
$1,456
per month
4 bedroom
$1,515
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Forrest County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$52,821
per year
Individual earnings
$29,856
per year
Per capita
$29,525
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Forrest County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$152,900
Annual property tax
$1,284

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Forrest County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$158
per month · 13.7¢/kWh
Natural gas
$39
per month
Annual total
$2,364
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Forrest County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
11.0%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Forrest County

State and local tax rates for Mississippi.

State income tax
5.0%
Flat rate
State sales tax
7.0%
Combined sales tax
7.1%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Forrest County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
21.2 min
Drive alone
82.0%
Public transit
0.5%
Work from home
3.1%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Forrest County

What it costs to live in Forrest County each month.

Single person
$2,750
per month
  • Rent $952
  • Energy $197
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $298
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $324
  • State tax $124
Couple
$3,976
per month
  • Rent $1,143
  • Energy $236
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $494
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $534
  • State tax $220
Family
$6,400
per month
  • Rent $1,456
  • Energy $296
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $749
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $534
  • State tax $220

Frequently asked questions about Forrest County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Forrest County?

In Forrest County, MS, a one-bedroom apartment averages $952 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,143 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,456 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Forrest County?

In Forrest County, MS, the average household income is $52,821 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $29,856 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Forrest County?

The estimated cost of living in Forrest County, MS is approximately $2,750 per month for a single person, $3,976 for a couple, $6,400 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Forrest County?

The combined sales tax rate in Forrest County, MS is 7.07%, which includes the Mississippi state rate of 7.00% plus an average local rate of 0.07%.

Is Forrest County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Forrest County, MS would need approximately $2,750 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $52,821 per year ($4,402 per month). Forrest County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Forrest County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Forrest County, MS is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 11.0% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Forrest County?

The average home value in Forrest County, MS is $152,900, with average annual property taxes of $1,284, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Forrest County compare to other areas?

You can compare Forrest County, MS with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Forrest County is in the Hattiesburg, MS metro area.

Other counties in Mississippi

Browse the full list of counties in Mississippi, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Mississippi

Compare Forrest County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources