Mississippi Cost of Living 2026

The cost of living in Mississippi (MS) has an overall index of 84.8 (100 = national average), making it significantly more affordable than the national average. Use the calculator below to compare Mississippi to any other state and see how far your dollar goes.

Compare Locations

Your current annual gross salary

Your current monthly rent or mortgage payment

Select two states and enter your salary to compare costs

Mississippi Cost of Living Breakdown

Here is how Mississippi compares to the national average across major spending categories. An index above 100 means the category is more expensive than average, while below 100 means it is more affordable.

CategoryMississippiNational AvgDifference
Overall84.8100.0-15.2
Housing64.2100.0-35.8
Groceries93.1100.0-6.9
Transportation90.7100.0-9.3
Healthcare87.5100.0-12.5
Utilities94.6100.0-5.4

Key Takeaways for Mississippi

  • Housing (64.2): Housing costs are well below the national average, making Mississippi one of the more affordable states for housing.
  • Groceries (93.1): Grocery prices are below the national average, providing some relief on everyday expenses.
  • Transportation (90.7): Transportation costs are below the national average.
  • Healthcare (87.5): Healthcare costs are below the national average, which can be a significant advantage for families and retirees.
  • Utilities (94.6): Utility costs are below the national average, helping to keep monthly expenses manageable.

Biggest Factor in Mississippi

The most expensive category in Mississippi relative to national averages is Utilities at an index of 94.6, while the most affordable is Housing at 64.2. The low housing costs are a major advantage for Mississippi residents, allowing for more disposable income compared to high-cost states.

Cost of Living by City in Mississippi

Explore city-level cost of living data for Mississippi.

Cost of Living by ZIP Code in Mississippi

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products featured on this page are from our partners who may compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where they appear on the page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own.

Financial Tools for Your Move

High-Yield Savings

4.50% APY

Earn 4.50% APY with no minimum balance and no monthly fees.

Open Account

Top Cash Back Card

2% unlimited cash back

Earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase with no annual fee.

Apply Now

Subject to credit approval.

Premium Travel Rewards

60,000 bonus points

Earn 3x points on travel and dining. $95 annual fee.

Learn More