salaryRent is lower than in 74% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are short, about 16.4 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $49,160 a year. That is $24 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Mississippi cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Mississippi. It is number 38 of 66 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Laurel?
Share of households by yearly income. 17.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Laurel
| Size | Laurel | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $372 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $967 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $979 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,684 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Laurel overall?
Everyday prices in Mississippi overall are 13% below the U.S. average (index 87.0, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Laurel, so the Mississippi figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Laurel
Life in Laurel
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Laurel?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $356 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $125,800 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $12,580 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Laurel, MS?
Renting in Laurel costs a median of about $1,229 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Mississippi median is $1,187.
How much do I need to make to live in Laurel?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $49,160 a year, or $24 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Laurel cheap or expensive?
Laurel is rated OK: rent takes 28.7% of the typical household income of $51,402. It ranks 38th cheapest of 66 Mississippi cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Laurel?
The median homeowner in Laurel pays $1,268 a year in property taxes, about 1.01% of the median home value.
Is Laurel more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Mississippi are 13% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Laurel?
The median home value in Laurel is $125,800, about 2.4 times the typical yearly household income.
17,679 people live in Laurel. Numbers are typical (middle) values.