Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$53,640$4,470 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Forrest County, MS
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Forrest County, MS
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Hattiesburg, MS MSA. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $766 | $9,192 | $30,640 | 17.1% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $888 | $10,656 | $35,520 | 19.9% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,047 | $12,564 | $41,880 | 23.4% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,348 | $16,176 | $53,920 | 30.2% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,386 | $16,632 | $55,440 | 31% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Forrest County, MS
Based on the local median household income of $53,640/year ($4,470/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Mississippi
Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Mississippi state income tax based on the local median baseline.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across Mississippi with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Forrest County, MS
What is the median household income in Forrest County, MS?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Forrest County, MS is $53,640 per year (approximately $4,470 per month).
What is the average rent in Forrest County, MS?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Forrest County, MS are $766 for a studio, $888 for 1 bedroom, $1,047 for 2 bedrooms, $1,348 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,386 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Forrest County, MS compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Forrest County, MS is 87.6 (12.4% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Forrest County, MS?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,047/month) in Forrest County, MS requires a minimum gross household income of $41,880 per year ($3,490 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Forrest County, MS?
For a typical household earning the median income of $53,640/year ($4,470/month) in Forrest County, MS, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,235/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,341/month to discretionary spending, and $894/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Forrest County, MS?
Residential electricity rates in Mississippi average 14.9¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $134 per month.