Beth Scharwath | REALTOR® in Hattiesburg, Serving Lamar & Forrest County Since 1996

Yes — Hattiesburg consistently ranks among Mississippi’s most livable cities, combining affordability with amenities you’d expect in a much larger metro. The median home price across the Hattiesburg area runs $250,000 to $300,000, and the overall cost of living is roughly 15% below the national average. Home to two universities, two major hospital systems, and a growing job market anchored by healthcare, education, and Camp Shelby, it’s a city that punches above its weight. The food scene has exploded with locally owned eateries— from James Beard-recognized chef Robert St. John’s Crescent City Grill to Big Trouble’s inventive Asian fusion, T-Bones, and The Porter. Many restaurants host live music on weekends, and the coffee shop culture rivals cities twice our size. As the Hub City, Hattiesburg sits at the crossroads of I-59 and Highway 98 — New Orleans is 90 minutes south, the Mississippi Gulf Coast casinos are an hour away, and the beautiful white-sand beaches of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama are about 2.5 hours east. Whether you’re relocating for work, raising a family, or looking for a slower pace without sacrificing convenience, Hattiesburg delivers.

Hattiesburg is an excellent retirement destination, especially for retirees who want affordability without giving up healthcare access or things to do. Mississippi doesn’t tax Social Security benefits, and withdrawals from 401(k)s and IRAs are also tax-free — a significant advantage over many neighboring states. The cost of living runs about 15% below the national average, and you can find low-maintenance new construction in the Hattiesburg area starting around $250,000. Healthcare is a major strength: Forrest General Hospital and Merit Health Wesley both offer comprehensive services, and specialists are readily available without the long waits common in smaller towns. The 44-mile Longleaf Trace — a paved rail-trail perfect for walking, biking, or just enjoying the pine forests — runs right through town. Add in two universities bringing concerts, lectures, and sporting events, a walkable downtown with locally-owned restaurants and live music, and easy access to New Orleans, the Gulf Coast casinos, and Alabama’s beaches, and you’ve got a retirement spot that keeps life interesting without breaking the budget.

Hattiesburg is a mid-sized college town with a population of about 48,000 in the city and 170,000 across the metro area. The University of Southern Mississippi and William Carey University give the city a youthful energy and a steady stream of cultural events — from football games to theater productions to visiting speakers. Major employers include Forrest General Hospital, Merit Health Wesley, USM, and Camp Shelby, one of the largest National Guard training facilities in the country. The downtown has seen a revival over the past decade, with locally-owned restaurants, coffee shops, and live music venues like The Porter, TBONES, Sully’s, and Brewsky’s drawing crowds on weekends. The Saenger Theater hosts touring acts and community performances, and annual events like HubFest and Live at Five bring the community together throughout the year. It’s big enough to have everything you need — good healthcare, solid schools, diverse dining — but small enough that you’ll run into people you know at the grocery store.

Oak Grove isn’t an official town—it’s a community centered around the Oak Grove School District in Lamar County. That means homes in Oak Grove may have mailing addresses in Hattiesburg, Purvis, or even Sumrall, depending on where they fall on the map. The most accurate way to find homes in Oak Grove is by searching using the school zone, not the city name. If you’re looking for homes in Oak Grove, I can help you narrow your search based on zoning, subdivision, and school attendance lines—so you’re not stuck combing through listings in the wrong area.

A Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) is a geographic region defined by the U.S. Census Bureau based on population density and economic ties. The Hattiesburg MSA covers about 170,000 people across three counties: Forrest, Lamar, and Perry. Major employers anchoring the regional economy include Forrest General Hospital, Merit Health Wesley, the University of Southern Mississippi, and Camp Shelby, one of the largest National Guard training facilities in the country. The MSA includes the cities and towns of Hattiesburg, Petal, Purvis, Sumrall, Richton, Beaumont, Lumberton, and New Augusta; census-designated places like Arnold Line, Rawls Springs, and West Hattiesburg; and unincorporated communities including Oak Grove, Baxterville, Brooklyn, McLaurin, and Oloh. Lamar County is currently the fastest-growing county in Mississippi. Together, these areas make up a diverse and growing region, anchored by Hattiesburg’s hospitals, universities, job centers, and vibrant cultural scene.