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.
Is Mississippi Affordable?
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.
What Drives the Statewide Cost Picture?
Mississippi is below the national cost baseline across tracked cities.
Hattiesburg has a cost index of 78.
Biloxi has a cost index of 84.
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 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.
Cost by Category Across Mississippi
Business Startup Costs
Legal Services
Compare Cities Within Mississippi
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Frequently Asked Questions: Mississippi Cost of Living
What is the cost of living in Mississippi?
Mississippi's average cost-of-living index is 81, which is 19% below the U.S. baseline of 100. Across 3 tracked cities, costs span from index 78 in Hattiesburg to 84 in Biloxi.
What is the cheapest city to live in Mississippi?
Hattiesburg is the most affordable tracked city in Mississippi, with a cost index of 78 — roughly 22% below the national average.
What is the most expensive city in Mississippi?
Biloxi is the most expensive tracked city in Mississippi, at a cost index of 84. The gap between Hattiesburg and Biloxi is 6 index points, so always budget at the city level.
What is the average household income in Mississippi?
The average median household income across 3 tracked Mississippi cities is about $38,198 per year.
Does Mississippi have a state income tax?
Yes. Mississippi levies a progressive state income tax at 3-5%, which affects your real take-home pay.
How much is sales tax in Mississippi?
The combined sales tax in Mississippi averages 7.07% — 7% at the state level plus 0.07% in average local tax.