True Cost of Renting in Hattiesburg, MS
Hattiesburg is the Hub City — a regional commercial center equidistant between Jackson and the Gulf Coast. The University of Southern Mississippi (17,000 students), Camp Shelby (Mississippi National Guard training center), and Forrest General Hospital anchor employment. Rents are among Mississippi's most affordable while offering genuine college-town amenities.
Neighborhoods & Average Rents
University Area / Hardy Street
- Studio:
- $750/mo
- 1 Bed:
- $900/mo
- 2 Bed:
- $1,200/mo
USM-adjacent corridor; student-dominated rental market with August synchronized leases. Older apartments and house rentals at very low rents. Entergy Mississippi electric. Walkable to campus and Hardy Street commercial district.
Hattiesburg Midtown
- Studio:
- $800/mo
- 1 Bed:
- $950/mo
- 2 Bed:
- $1,300/mo
Central area between the university and Downtown; more diverse renter mix than the campus zone. Growing restaurant and arts scene. Slightly newer housing stock in some areas.
Oak Grove / Petal
- 1 Bed:
- $1,000/mo
- 2 Bed:
- $1,400/mo
Suburban areas west and east of Hattiesburg; newer apartment communities for families and professionals. Better schools than city limits. Car-dependent. Camp Shelby commute via I-59.
Utility Providers
- Electric
- Entergy Mississippi
- Water
- City of Hattiesburg Water and Sewer
- Internet
- Spectrum, AT&T Internet, Brightspeed
Commute & Transportation
I-59 runs north-south (Jackson, 1.5 hrs north; Meridian, 1.5 hrs northeast; New Orleans, 2.5 hrs south). US-98 runs east-west. Camp Shelby is 8 miles south on US-49. USM employs 2,500 non-student staff. Forrest General Hospital is the largest private employer at 3,500 staff. Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport handles small aircraft.
Rental Market Overview
Hattiesburg is Mississippi's most affordable college-town rental market — median 1BR runs $850–1,000/month. Entergy Mississippi electric bills average $110–170/month in summer. USM creates synchronized August demand but non-student renters can find availability year-round. Camp Shelby training rotations bring periodic military family demand that is different from permanent BAH-anchored markets. Forrest General Hospital drives healthcare professional demand for quality apartments.
Data last updated: 2026-04
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