Cost of Living in Mississippi
Updated November 2026 · population 2,946,779
Mississippi prices are 13.0% below the US average (index 87.0), ranking 50th most expensive of 51 states and DC; housing is the biggest saving at 56.5, and a single adult's modelled budget at state-average prices is about $2,151 a month.
Prices by category
Mississippi price index by category, US average = 100: All items 87.0, Housing (rents) 56.5, Goods 96.2, Utilities 78.4, Other services 96.1
| Area | All items |
|---|---|
| Mississippi (whole state) | 87.0 |
| Metropolitan areas of Mississippi | 90.0 |
| Nonmetropolitan areas of Mississippi | 83.6 |
Cities in Mississippi
Select a column heading to sort.
Metro areas in Mississippi
| Metro area | All items | Housing |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | 92.2 | 79.8 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | 90.0 | 67.9 |
| Jackson, MS | 89.0 | 64.8 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | 87.6 | 60.1 |
BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for metropolitan statistical areas that include part of Mississippi.
Modelled monthly budget at Mississippi average prices
1 adult · 1-bedroom · modelled estimate for Mississippi (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $590 | $7,080 | 27% |
| Utilities | $243 | $2,916 | 11% |
| Food at home | $271 | $3,252 | 13% |
| Transportation | $548 | $6,576 | 25% |
| Health care | $338 | $4,056 | 16% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $161 | $1,932 | 7% |
| Total | $2,151 | $25,812 | 100% |
2 adults · 2-bedroom · modelled estimate for Mississippi (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $687 | $8,244 | 19% |
| Utilities | $382 | $4,584 | 11% |
| Food at home | $501 | $6,012 | 14% |
| Transportation | $1,084 | $13,008 | 30% |
| Health care | $626 | $7,512 | 17% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $317 | $3,804 | 9% |
| Total | $3,597 | $43,164 | 100% |
2 adults + 2 children · 3-bedroom · modelled estimate for Mississippi (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $794 | $9,528 | 18% |
| Utilities | $466 | $5,592 | 11% |
| Food at home | $715 | $8,580 | 16% |
| Transportation | $1,442 | $17,304 | 33% |
| Health care | $583 | $6,996 | 13% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $408 | $4,896 | 9% |
| Total | $4,408 | $52,896 | 100% |
state figures Rents are Census ACS state medians by bedrooms. See the methodology.
Electricity and gas and inflation
Residential electricity
14.43¢/kWh, August 2026
12-month change +6.0% · US 18.16¢
Regular gasoline regional figure: Gulf Coast (PADD 3)
$3.64/gal, week of 2026-11-02
12-month change +44.8% · US $4.15
Consumer prices in the South region rose +3.4% over the 12 months to September 2026 (US +3.7%; BLS CPI-U).
Price level history
| Year | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | 86.5 | 85.6 | 86.2 | 87.3 | 86.8 | 87.0 |
Change over the period: +0.4 points. Each year is measured relative to that year's US average.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mississippi an expensive state to live in?
Mississippi has a cost of living index of 87.0 (US = 100), 13.0% below the US average. It ranks 50th of 51 (1 = most expensive). Housing is 56.5 (rank 50), goods 96.2, utilities 78.4 and other services 96.1. Source: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024.
How much does it cost to live in Mississippi?
At Mississippi state-average prices, our modelled monthly budget is $2,151 for a single adult, $3,597 for a couple and $4,408 for a family of four, before taxes and child care. Costs vary widely within the state: metro areas average 90.0 and nonmetro areas 83.6.
What is the median rent and home value in Mississippi?
The median gross rent in Mississippi is $954 a month and the median home value is $169,800 (Census ACS 2020-2024). The typical renter spends 30.7% of income on rent.
Sources
- BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 (state, state metro and nonmetro portions, MSAs).
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2020-2024, state 28.
- EIA-861M residential electricity (August 2026); EIA weekly retail gasoline (Gulf Coast (PADD 3), 2026-11-02).
- BLS CPI-U, South region (September 2026).
Budgets are modelled estimates, not observed spending. Not financial advice. Methodology