Cost of Living in Mississippi (MS)
Compare costs across 3 Mississippi cities. From home services to salaries, see how MS stacks up against the national average.
3
Cities
81
Avg Cost Index
$38K
Avg Income
Direct Answer
Mississippi's average cost index is 81, which is below the national baseline of 100. Hattiesburg is the most affordable tracked city in MS at index 78, while Biloxi is the most expensive at index 84.
The gap between the cheapest and most expensive tracked cities is 6 index points, so state-level averages should be used as a map, not a final budget.
State cost overviewBLS, Census, HUD inputsLast verified May 2026
Mississippi Highlights: Most affordable city: Hattiesburg (index 78). Most expensive: Biloxi (index 84). The gap between cheapest and most expensive is 6 index points.
What Drives the Statewide Cost Picture?
Average index
81/100
Mississippi is below the national cost baseline across tracked cities.
Cheapest city
Hattiesburg
Hattiesburg has a cost index of 78.
Most expensive
Biloxi
Biloxi has a cost index of 84.
Income average
$38K
Average median household income across 3 tracked MS cities.
Cheapest and Most Expensive Cities in Mississippi
| City | Population | Cost Index | Median Income | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson | 154K | 80 | $36K | mid |
| Hattiesburg | 49K | 78 | $34K | small |
| Biloxi | 46K | 84 | $45K | small |
Mississippi State Taxes (2026)
Headline tax rates that affect your real take-home pay and total cost of living in Mississippi.
State Income Tax
3-5%
progressive system
Combined Sales Tax
7.07%
7% state + 0.07% avg local
Property Tax (Effective)
0.79%
~$2,370/yr on a $300K home
Income tax: Mississippi uses a progressive income tax at 3-5%. No state estate tax. Estimate your take-home pay
State Planning Checklist
- Start with Hattiesburg if the priority is lowest recurring cost inside Mississippi.
- Compare Biloxi against salary and tax advantages before assuming the higher-cost city is worse.
- Use city pages for rent, salary, insurance, and local service costs before making a relocation decision.