Cost of Living in Forest, MS
Population 5,365 · Mississippi · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Forest sits on the smaller end of the Mississippi city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible. A poverty rate near 23% adds context to the income figures — well above the US average, and worth factoring into any comparison with cities on the coasts or in the Rockies.
Geographically, Forest is about 45 miles east of Jackson, the nearest large metro. Median home values run roughly 19% higher than Jackson's $108,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Forest
The median home value in Forest is $129,100 — 58% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $695/month, 47% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $51,082/year is 32% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.5%, above the national average of 4.8%. Mississippi's top state income tax rate is 4.7% and the combined sales tax is 7.1%. Overall, Forest has a cost of living index of 47 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 53% less expensive.
Forest has limited residential data
Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Forest, MS?
Forest has a cost index of 47 (100 = national average). It is 53% below the national average.
What is average rent in Forest, MS?
The median gross rent in Forest is $695 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Forest?
The median home value in Forest is $129,100 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Forest?
The median household income in Forest is $51,082 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Forest, MS?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Forest is 7.1%. The Mississippi state income tax top rate is 4.7%.
Is Forest, MS affordable?
Yes, Forest is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 47 — about 53% below the US national average of 100.
Forest at a Glance
- Population
- 5,365
- Median Income
- $51,082
- Home Value
- $129,100
- Median Rent
- $695/mo
- Unemployment
- 6.5%
- Sales Tax
- 7.1%
Explore county-level cost of living data
Mississippi Rankings
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