Manageable

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Laurel?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Laurel, you need to earn at least $35,560/year based on estimated fair market rent data. The median household income here is $36,336, which means the typical resident is $776 above the threshold.

Census ACS Data Pop. 17,241

Salary Required by Bedroom Size

Bedroom	Monthly Rent	Monthly Income	Annual Salary	vs. Median
Studio	$622	$2,073	$24,880	$-11,456
1 Bedroom	$738	$2,460	$29,520	$-6,816
2 Bedroom BENCHMARK	$889	$2,963	$35,560	$-776
3 Bedroom	$1,085	$3,617	$43,400	+$7,064
4 Bedroom	$1,334	$4,447	$53,360	+$17,024

Affordability Breakdown

Where the required salary line crosses above Laurel's median income — housing becomes unaffordable for the typical resident.

Required Salary Median Income

Income vs. Rent Snapshot

Median Income

$36,336

Annual household

2BR Required Salary

$35,560

Under 30% rule

Income Gap

+$776

Surplus

Verdict

Manageable

Ratio: 29.4%

The 30% Rule Calculator

Enter your annual salary to see what you can afford in Laurel

Your Annual Salary

Pre-filled with Laurel's median household income

Max monthly rent you can afford$908

Studio

$622/mo

1 BR

$738/mo

2 BR

$889/mo

3 BR

$1,085/mo

4 BR

$1,334/mo

Your salary is $0 above the median income in Laurel.

Salary Comparison by Bedroom

Bars left of the marker line are affordable for Laurel's median earner. Bars to the right require above-median income.

Affordable Above Median Median Income

What This Means If You're Moving to Laurel

Laurel is borderline manageable — the difference between required salary and median income is just $776. This means most households can technically afford a 2-bedroom, but have very little breathing room for savings or emergencies.

Downsizing to a 1-bedroom ($738/month) or studio ($622/month) materially improves the math. For those needing more space, a 3-bedroom in Laurel pushes the required income to $43,400.

For comfortable living in Laurel without financial stress, target a household income of at least $53,340 — this accounts for rent being approximately 30% of take-home pay while leaving adequate room for Mississippi's cost of living.

Economic Outlook

Local Job Market & Housing Dynamics

Affording rent isn't just about housing prices—it's heavily dependent on local employment opportunities and the strength of the job market in Laurel, Mississippi.

With a total population of 17,241, the city supports an active civilian workforce of 6,657 people. A strong employment base often indicates a stable economy, which is crucial when committing to a lease requiring a $35,560 annual salary. The ratio of employed residents to the total population provides insight into the local economic health and competition for both jobs and housing.

Employed Workforce

6,657

Active civilian employees in Laurel

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting in Laurel

What salary do I need to live in Laurel, Mississippi?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Laurel under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of at least $35,560. The median household income in Laurel is $36,336.

Can I afford a 2-bedroom in Laurel on $36,336?

The affordability verdict for Laurel is "Manageable". The rent-to-income ratio is 29.4%, meaning median earners have a $776 surplus.

What is the average rent in Laurel compared to median income?

The median gross rent in Laurel is $738/month. With a median household income of $36,336, residents spend approximately 29.4% of their income on rent.

What salary do I need for a studio in Laurel?

A studio in Laurel rents for approximately $622/month. Under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of $24,880 to afford this.

Is Laurel considered an affordable place to live?

Based on the surplus of $776 and an affordability verdict of "Manageable", Laurel is considered a manageable rental market when comparing the required 2-bedroom salary of $35,560 to the local median household income.

How Laurel Compares

Other cities in Mississippi with salary requirements