Monthly Cost of Living in Mississippi — Full 2026 Budget Breakdown

Quick answer

A single adult in Mississippi typically needs about $2,559/month, with rent of $950 (1BR) as the largest single expense. A family with kids runs closer to $4,430/mo.

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Total / month
$2,559
Rent (1BR)
$950
Rent (2BR)
$1,100
Cost index
84
What this means in real life

In Mississippi, the swing factor is rent. Jackson pulls the averages up; smaller cities like Gulfport often run 15–30% cheaper. Groceries, utilities, and transport are far more predictable — what changes a budget most is the apartment.

Cheap vs expensive areas in Mississippi

Most expensive
Jackson

Prime neighborhoods push 1BR rent to around $1,283/mo. Premium grocery prices, paid parking, and higher dining costs all compound.

More affordable
Gulfport

Smaller cities and suburbs typically run a 1BR around $713/mo — 25–40% below the metro centre, with cheaper groceries and shorter commutes.

Cost breakdown — at a glance

Housing (rent + insurance)
$950
37% of budget
Transportation
$403
16% of budget
Groceries
$353
14% of budget
Utilities & internet
$164
6% of budget
Healthcare
$269
11% of budget
Entertainment & dining
$185
7% of budget
Misc & personal
$235
9% of budget

Monthly budget by household

Typical totals in Mississippi for a single adult, a couple, and a family with kids.

Single adult
$2,559/mo

1-bedroom, modest urban lifestyle.

Couple, no kids
$3,527/mo

2-bedroom, shared groceries and transport.

Family (2 adults + kids)
$4,430/mo

2-bedroom, childcare, more food and healthcare.

Monthly budget — full table

Housing (rent + insurance)
$950
37%
Transportation
$403
16%
Groceries
$353
14%
Utilities & internet
$164
6%
Healthcare
$269
11%
Entertainment & dining
$185
7%
Misc & personal
$235
9%

Visual breakdown

Housing (rent + insurance)$950
Transportation$403
Groceries$353
Utilities & internet$164
Healthcare$269
Entertainment & dining$185
Misc & personal$235
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Salary needed to live here

Rule of thumb: you want take-home pay of at least $3,071/mo to live comfortably — roughly $49,000/year gross.

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Common questions

These estimates are approximate and may vary by city, taxes, rent, family size, and personal spending. Use them as a starting point, not a substitute for personalised financial or tax advice.