Cost of living in Mississippi
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
Prices in Mississippi are 13.0% below the national average — a Regional Price Parity of 87.0 (U.S. = 100), making it the #2 cheapest of 51 states and DC. Compare Mississippi with any other state below, including the effect of taxes.
- Texas vs Mississippi prices
- 11.6% pricier
- Take-home in Mississippi at $75,000
- $59,325$4,944 / month
- Take-home you'd need in Texas
- $66,218$5,518 / month
- Take-home in Texas at the same $75,000
- $61,593$5,133 / month
- Same salary: change in real take-home
- −7.0%−$4,626 a year in Mississippi buying power
Equivalent after tax = the gross pay in Texas whose take-home, adjusted for Texas prices, buys what your Mississippi take-home buys today. Statewide averages — big metros (and rent) vary a lot within a state.
How to compare Mississippi with another state
- Enter your salary — the calculator starts with Mississippi as your current state.
- Pick the state you're comparing with (moving to Mississippi? press ⇄ to swap).
- Read the salary with equal buying power after taxes, and the "same salary" change in your real take-home.
Mississippi prices by category
| Category | Mississippi | vs U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 87.0 | −13.0% |
| Goods | 96.2 | −3.8% |
| Housing (rent) | 56.5 | −43.5% |
| Utilities | 78.4 | −21.6% |
| Other services | 96.1 | −3.9% |
Low housing costs keep Mississippi affordable: rents run 44% below average. The overall price level rose 0.2% relative to the nation versus 2023 (86.8). Housing covers rent and the rental value of owner-occupied homes; "other services" includes health care, dining out, transportation and education.
Take-home pay in Mississippi, adjusted for prices
| Salary | Taxes | Take-home | Real take-home | U.S.-average equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $8,913 | $41,087 | $47,252 | $57,502 |
| $75,000 | $15,676 | $59,325 | $68,226 | $86,253 |
| $100,000 | $24,088 | $75,912 | $87,302 | $115,005 |
At $75,000, Mississippi ranks #3 of 51 for real take-home pay, after both taxes and prices. Full paycheck details: Mississippi paycheck calculator.
What $75,000 in Mississippi equals in other states
Prices = price level relative to Mississippi. "Salary (after tax)" is what you'd need to earn there, single filer, to live like you do on $75,000 in Mississippi once both prices and state taxes are counted.
| State | Prices | Salary (prices only) | Salary (after tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | +1.4% | $76,082 | $75,670 |
| Arkansas | −0.0% | $74,986 | $75,013 |
| Tennessee | +5.7% | $79,241 | $76,545 |
| Alabama | +2.2% | $76,613 | $78,212 |
| State | Prices | Salary (prices only) | Salary (after tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa | +0.9% | $75,698 | $75,724 |
| Oklahoma | +1.0% | $75,768 | $76,775 |
| California | +27.3% | $95,500 | $104,543 |
| Hawaii | +26.4% | $94,837 | $103,221 |
| Washington, DC | +26.4% | $94,793 | $102,306 |
| New Jersey | +25.1% | $93,848 | $99,754 |
| Texas | +11.6% | $83,715 | $81,575 |
| Florida | +18.9% | $89,198 | $87,740 |
| New York | +24.1% | $93,086 | $99,617 |
Moving from Mississippi to a pricier state? The "after taxes too" column folds in state income tax, so a no-tax state can beat a cheaper state with a high income tax. Statewide averages hide large metro differences — check local rents before you move.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by State, 2024 (table SARPP, released February 19, 2026, bea.gov). Take-home pay: our 2026 federal, FICA and state income-tax engine, single filer, no pre-tax deductions; local income taxes are not included.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Mississippi expensive to live in?
Mississippi has a price level of 87.0 (U.S. = 100), so living costs are 13.0% below the national average. It ranks #2 of 51 from cheapest to most expensive (BEA 2024).
How much do you need to make to live in Mississippi?
To match the buying power of a $75,000 salary at national-average prices, you need about $65,215 in Mississippi before taxes. After Mississippi taxes, $75,000 takes home $59,325 — worth $68,226 at U.S.-average prices, #3 of 51 states.
How much more expensive is rent in Mississippi?
Mississippi's housing price level is 56.5, meaning rents are 43.5% below the national average. Goods are 96.2 and utilities 78.4.
Which neighboring state is cheapest?
Arkansas (price level 86.9, −0.0% vs Mississippi). A $75,000 Mississippi salary is equivalent to $75,013 there after taxes.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.