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

Compare Apartments in Hattiesburg

Enter your rental options below to see the true all-in monthly cost.

Renting in Hattiesburg: Common Questions

What is the average rent in Hattiesburg?
One-bedroom apartments in Hattiesburg range from $900/month in University Area / Hardy Street to $1,000/month in Oak Grove / Petal. Two-bedroom units range from $1,200 to $1,400/month. These are base rents — add fees, utilities, and amenity costs to get the true all-in monthly cost.
What utilities do I need to set up in Hattiesburg?
In Hattiesburg, electricity is provided by Entergy Mississippi, water by City of Hattiesburg Water and Sewer, and common internet providers include Spectrum, AT&T Internet, Brightspeed. Check whether your lease includes water or trash — some buildings bundle these into rent while others charge separately. Always ask the leasing office for the average monthly utility bill before signing.
What neighborhoods are affordable in Hattiesburg?
University Area / Hardy Street is one of the most affordable neighborhoods in Hattiesburg, with one-bedroom apartments averaging $900/month. 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. Remember to factor in commute costs and parking fees when comparing neighborhoods — a cheaper base rent farther from work may cost more overall.
Is Hattiesburg expensive to rent in?
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. Use RentCompare to calculate the true all-in cost for any apartment in Hattiesburg — base rent alone does not tell the full story.

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