Hattiesburg, Mississippi: A Certified Retirement City

When deciding where to retire, consider the city of Hattiesburg in south Mississippi.

Known as the ‘Hub City’, Hattiesburg is located less than 100 miles from the state capital of Jackson, the Mississippi Gulf Coast, New Orleans, and Mobile, Alabama. The city is home to approximately 50,000 residents, the University of Southern Mississippi, William Carey College, and Camp Shelby.

Hattiesburg has been deemed a Mississippi Certified Retirement City and was also named as one of the 100 Best Retirement Towns in America by Where To Retire magazine. The city’s medical care, recreational offerings, continuing education, shopping, dining, and social and cultural organizations all make this city an excellent choice for retirees.

Hattiesburg has also been cited as a Top 10 Best Budget Town, a Top 20 Top Retirement Town in North America, and has been ranked in the top 150 communities in the country desirable for retirement living.

Many retirees move to Hattiesburg because of the city’s climate. In the dead of winter, the average temperature is a not too cool 48º. The average summer temperature is 80º but highs often reach close to 100º. The fairly high humidity can cause a difficult adjustment to newcomers. Gardeners love Hattiesburg because of its extended growing season. It is not uncommon to see thriving vegetation almost year round.

Not convinced Hattiesburg is the place for you to retiree? This might change your mind. According to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine, Mississippi has the sixth lowest tax burden in the country. The cost of living is also relatively low. The median home value is just over $48,000.