5 Reasons Why Hattiesburg Mississippi is a Nice Place to Live

Hattiesburg, Mississippi is one of the most livable cities in the state, with a median home price of $250,000 to $300,000, a cost of living 15% below the national average, two major hospital systems, and a growing food and music scene. The Hub City offers big-city amenities without big-city traffic or prices.

TL;DR: Hattiesburg combines affordability, solid healthcare, a thriving local food scene, and easy access to New Orleans and Alabama’s beaches — all in a mid-sized college town with a 15% lower cost of living than the national average. Home prices range from $250,000 to $300,000.

1. Affordability That Actually Means Something

Hattiesburg’s cost of living runs about 15% below the national average, and that gap shows up most in housing. The median home price across the Hattiesburg area falls between $250,000 and $300,000 — a range that gets you new construction or a well-maintained home in an established neighborhood. Compare that to the national median hovering around $400,000, and your dollar stretches significantly further here. Property taxes in Mississippi are among the lowest in the Southeast, which keeps monthly costs manageable even as you move up in square footage.

2. Healthcare You Can Count On

For a city of 48,000, Hattiesburg punches well above its weight in healthcare. Forrest General Hospital and Merit Health Wesley both offer comprehensive services, including cardiac care, oncology, and surgical specialties. Specialists are readily available without the weeks-long waits common in smaller towns. The University of Southern Mississippi’s nursing and health programs also feed a steady pipeline of trained professionals into the local system. When you need care, you don’t have to drive to Jackson or New Orleans to get it.

3. A Food and Music Scene That Surprises People

Hattiesburg’s dining scene has exploded over the past decade. James Beard-recognized chef Robert St. John put the city on the culinary map with Crescent City Grill, and the momentum hasn’t slowed. Big Trouble serves inventive Asian fusion, T-Bones draws crowds for steaks and live music, and The Porter anchors downtown with craft cocktails and rotating local acts. Murky Waters, Brass Hat, and Trattoria Pizzeria round out a live music circuit that keeps weekends interesting. The coffee shop culture rivals cities twice Hattiesburg’s size — locals take their independent roasters seriously.

4. Location at the Crossroads

They call Hattiesburg the Hub City for a reason. Sitting at the intersection of I-59 and Highway 98, you’re 90 minutes from New Orleans, 90 minutes from Jackson, an hour from the Mississippi Gulf Coast casinos, and about 2.5 hours from the white-sand beaches of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama. That central position means weekend trips are easy, but so is staying put — you don’t have to leave town for good healthcare, dining, or entertainment. The Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport handles regional flights, and the New Orleans and Gulfport airports are within easy driving distance for longer trips.

5. Big Enough to Have Everything, Small Enough to Know People

With 48,000 residents in the city and about 170,000 across the metro area, Hattiesburg hits a sweet spot. Two universities — the University of Southern Mississippi and William Carey — bring concerts, sporting events, lectures, and a steady influx of energy. The Saenger Theater hosts touring acts and community performances. Annual events like HubFest and Live at Five bring neighbors together. But it’s still small enough that you’ll run into friends at the grocery store and your kids’ teachers will know their names. That combination of amenities and community is hard to find.

Frequently Asked Questions

Thinking about making the move to Hattiesburg? I’ve been helping people find homes in the Hub City for nearly 30 years. Check out my complete guide to moving to Hattiesburg or reach out and I’ll help you find the right neighborhood for your lifestyle.