Mississippi is home to a wide variety of ancient monuments and museums.
The state is famous for its magnolias, catfish, bluegrass music, and southern charm.
Nicknames for this state are The Hospitality State and The Magnolia State.
Keep reading the post, and you will find everything about this state, from the cost of living to the top five most expensive cities in Mississippi.
Contents
Is Mississippi a Good State for Living?
As with any state, it depends on what you are looking over.
As we said, this state has a lot of activities to do, so you will never be bored.
Also, if you want to keep your living costs low and prefer affordable property taxes, then definitely YES – Mississippi is an excellent state for living.
The state holds amazing cities that have topped national lists about schools, safety, job growth, and more.
So, with everything that this state has to offer, how much does it cost for the average resident to live here?
The Cost of Living in This State
Living in Mississippi is less expensive than it is on average across America.
Compared with other states in the U.S., Mississippi has the second-lowest overall cost of living.
As home to three metropolitan areas, the most expensive in the state is the Jackson metro area, where the cost of goods and services is 3.9% higher than the statewide average.
The cheapest place to live in Mississippi is Aberdeen, and the average cost of rent is $600 per month.
Major cities, such as Jackson or Gulfport, are pricier, with an average of $890 per month.
Moreover, you can find the most expensive rent in Biloxi, Mississippi, and it averages $1,200 per month.
Housing Costs
Housing is one of the main segments of daily living.
In Mississippi, the typical home is worth $120,500, or roughly $90.000 less than the national average home value.
Renting in Mississippi is often cheaper than owning a home, and it’s a great alternative.
In fact, 30% of all Mississippi citizens rent and spend approximately $750 per month.
In detail, the monthly rent for a one-bedroom in the state is $600, while the typical rent for a unit with five or more bedrooms is $900.
Utility Costs
Utility bills are vitally important whether you rent an apartment or own a home in Mississippi.
Luckily, utility bills cost only an average of $122 per month, and that’s only $14 above the national average.
In a city like Gulfport, Mississippi, utility bills cost more than $140 per month, which is an enormous price for this state.
Transportation Costs
In Mississippi, 95% of commuters drive to the office due to the low price of gas – only $1.88 a gallon.
Other transportation costs, like car insurance premiums, can range by state.
Generally, in Mississippi, the average car insurance premium is $935.
That is pretty less than the $1.500 national average.
Healthcare Costs
Prices could vary, and premiums can be lower if you are in good health.
Gold plans cost the most but are mostly the best if you assume to have a lot of medical expenses.
Silver level plans are good middle-of-the-pack policies compared to the Gold and Bronze tiers.
The plans have medium premiums and health coverage.
Bronze plans tend to have the most affordable premiums and the highest out-of-pocket costs.
These plans are usually best for younger people who are in good health.
In particular, bronze plans can be a suitable choice if you expect to use a few medical services and still want assurance from high medical costs in the case of a medical emergency.
Other Costs
Much of the entertainment in Mississippi comes from the rich history that the state shows through its museums.
One such museum is the Museum of Mississippi History, and it costs between $15 and $25 per person.
The Mississippi Museum of Art is another excellent idea, and memberships cost $65 per year.
The Top Five Expensive Cities in This State
Jackson
Jackson is the capital city and the most populous in the state.
This city is home to several fantastic museums, covering plenty of topics, including history, civil rights, African-American culture, natural sciences, and art.
Jackson is an attractive place to visit and a wonderful living place.
But, living in this city is not so cheap.
In fact, the cost of living in Jackson is much higher than in many other cities in Mississippi.
For example, renting a one-bedroom apartment in the city center is around $900.00.
The monthly pass for local transport is more than $60, and a one-way bus ticket is nearly $3.50.
On the other side, if you are a restaurant lover, you better have more money to sit in a restaurant.
For one meal in an inexpensive restaurant, you can expect to pay more than $18.00.
Meal for two people in a mid-range restaurant is almost $66.00.
Gulfport
The cost of living in Gulfport is $1,595, and it seems expensive compared to other cities in this state.
The utility bill, including basics such as electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage for an 85m2 apartment, is more than $160.00.
A one-way ticket for local transport is $3.95, while a monthly pass is roughly $48.
Southaven
Southaven is a city in DeSoto County, Mississippi.
It is a principal city in Greater Memphis.
The average cost of living in Southaven is $1600, which is in the top 25% of the most expensive cities in the world.
The lunch portion in a restaurant for one person is approximately $17.00, and dinner for two in a restaurant is $60 up.
A one-way ticket for local transport is $3.20, while a monthly pass – fascinating $61.
Biloxi
In Biloxi, the cost of living is 5% higher than the national average.
This city has higher housing expenses, higher transportation expenses, and even more, has higher grocery prices than the national average.
The average rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $1,500 per month.
A gallon of gas is about $2.76, and an energy bill per month is $170.00.
While all of these costs are higher than the national average, we have to notice that healthcare in Biloxi is 4% lower than the national average.
That means that doctor’s visit in this city can cost you less than $90, and a dentist visit is just $80.
Hattiesburg
In Hattiesburg, the average home cost is around $150,900, which is really overpriced.
On the other hand, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is more than $900.
Other costs, like utility and food prices – are the same as Southaven and Jackson.
Mississippi Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Mississippi Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Additional Resources
Cost of Living in New Hampshire Cities: These Are the Top 5
Cost of Living in Oregon Cities: These Are the Top 5
Cost of Living in Colorado Cities: These Are the Top 5
Cost of Living in Maryland Cities: These Are the Top 5
Cost of Living in New Jersey Cities: These Are the Top 5
Cost of Living in Massachusetts Cities: These Are the Top 5
Living in Mississippi offers a wide variety of activities and affordable living costs, making it an excellent state for residents looking to keep expenses low.