Salary Needed to Live in Hattiesburg as a Couple
A couple sharing expenses without children needs approximately $60,400/year to live comfortably in Hattiesburg, MS, including 12% savings.
Direct Answer
A couple (no kids) needs about $60,400/year to live comfortably in Hattiesburg, MS. The bare-minimum salary is $50,736/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 12% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $3,686.
The minimum scenario leaves about $3,171/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $5,033/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$60,400
with 12% savings
Bare Minimum
$50,736
$4,228/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$3,171
29% below national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Couple in Hattiesburg
| Expense | Hattiesburg | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2BR Apartment Rent | $854 | $1,641 | -48% |
| Groceries | $343 | $320 | +7% |
| Utilities | $146 | $225 | -35% |
| Transportation | $392 | $421 | -7% |
| Car Insurance | $162 | $223 | -27% |
| Health Insurance | $522 | $672 | -22% |
| Internet | $51 | $65 | -22% |
| Phone (x2) | $109 | $140 | -22% |
| Dining & Social | $351 | $450 | -22% |
| Entertainment | $140 | $180 | -22% |
| Personal Care (x2) | $101 | $130 | -22% |
| Total Monthly | $3,171 | $4,467 | -29% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$3,171
Target savings (12%):$515/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$3,686
Effective tax rate:25%
Gross annual salary needed:$60,400
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$854
1-2BR Apartment rent is 27% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
25%
Estimated federal plus MS state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
12%
$515/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.
Local index
78/100
Hattiesburg is below the national baseline; the model adjusts baseline spending by local rent and cost data.
Compare Salary Needed in Nearby south Cities
Salary Planning Checklist
- Keep 1-2br apartment housing near $854/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $752/mo for persona-specific costs such as Internet and Phone (x2).
- Use $50,736/year as the survival floor and $60,400/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Hattiesburg
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a couple (no kids) need in Hattiesburg?
A couple (no kids) needs approximately $60,400/year ($5,033/month gross) to live comfortably in Hattiesburg with a 12% savings rate.
How much is rent for a couple (no kids) in Hattiesburg?
A 1-2br apartment in Hattiesburg costs approximately $854/month, which is the largest single expense at 27% of the total budget.
Is Hattiesburg affordable for a couple (no kids)?
Yes, Hattiesburg is 29% more affordable than the national average for a couple (no kids).