Living in Laurel, Mississippi
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Laurel · Census data 2020–2024
Laurel has 17,679 residents with a median age of 35.1. The median household income is $47,661 (16% lower than the Mississippi median), the median home value is $125,800, the median rent is $909/month.
Laurel at a glance
- Population
- 17,679
- Median age
- 35.1State: 38.6
- Median household income
- $47,661State: $56,447
- Median home value
- $125,800State: $169,800
- Median rent
- $909/moState: $954
- Homeowners
- 63.2%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 21.8%
- Average commute
- 16 min
Is Laurel a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 26% lower than the state median; an average commute of 16 minutes; unemployment of 5.6%.
Cons: Median household income 16% lower than the Mississippi median; a poverty rate of 23.3%.
The weather is best in March–April and October–November.
Cost of living in Laurel
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Laurel the median home value is $125,800, 62% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $909 per month, which is 31.9% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,286 a month in housing costs.
Laurel median household income
The median household income in Laurel is $47,661 and the income per person is $30,835. 23.3% of residents live below the poverty line (Mississippi: 18.9%).
Housing in Laurel: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 7,805
- Owner-occupied
- 63.2%
- Renter-occupied
- 36.8%
- Vacant
- 14.5%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1969
- Average household size
- 2.60
Laurel demographics
- Population
- 17,679
- Median age
- 35.1
- Under 18
- 26.1%
- 65 and older
- 14.2%
- Households
- 6,675
- Foreign-born
- 4.2%
- Veterans
- 4.6%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Laurel ›
Education in Laurel
21.8% of adults 25 and older in Laurel have a bachelor's degree or higher (Mississippi: 25.1%), and 8.4% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Laurel
- Unemployment rate
- 5.6%State: 5.8%
- Average commute
- 16 minState: 26 min
- Work from home
- 5.6%
- Drive alone
- 83%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 1%
- Homes with broadband
- 78.7%
Laurel vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laurel | 17,679 | $47,661 | $125,800 | $909 |
| Ellisville | 4,521 | $32,100 | $99,500 | $872 |
| Sharon | 1,910 | $102,188 | — | — |
| Soso | 431 | $51,250 | $148,800 | $882 |
| Sandersville | 413 | $52,667 | $95,000 | $718 |
| Ovett | 333 | $121,336 | $194,000 | — |
| Heidelberg | 756 | $49,896 | $107,800 | $1,004 |
| Taylorsville | 1,650 | $37,885 | $143,500 | $655 |
| Bay Springs | 1,855 | $50,306 | $152,700 | $300 |
More for people moving to Laurel
Laurel ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Laurel: FAQ
What is the median household income in Laurel, MS?
The median household income in Laurel is $47,661, 16% lower than the Mississippi median of $56,447 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Laurel?
The median home value in Laurel is $125,800, compared with $169,800 in Mississippi.
How much is rent in Laurel?
The median gross rent in Laurel is $909 per month, about 31.9% of household income.
Is Laurel, MS a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 26% lower than the state median; an average commute of 16 minutes; unemployment of 5.6%. Minuses: median household income 16% lower than the Mississippi median; a poverty rate of 23.3%.
What is the median age in Laurel?
The median age in Laurel is 35.1 years (Mississippi: 38.6).
How long is the commute in Laurel?
The average commute to work in Laurel is 16 minutes; 5.6% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Laurel?
The unemployment rate in Laurel is 5.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Laurel?
21.8% of adults in Laurel have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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