If you’re considering moving to Mississippi, there are some pros and cons you’ll want to know about. The cost of living here is one of the main things to consider, but it’s not the only one. Mississippi has a low cost of living and a lower population density than many other states. The lifestyle is slow-paced and laid back, with a tradition of Southern hospitality. The weather is warm, with hot summers and mild winters. Farming or gardening gets a leg up from the fertile soil and ample available land for planting. Mississippi is a prime location for fishing, with plentiful catfish. It’s also a good state if you prefer more small towns than sprawling urban areas.
However, there are some cons to consider. Mississippi is subject to some intense weather. High heat and humidity are regular, with the occasional heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, hurricanes, and tropical storms. Heavy downpours are common, but they often come in brief, intense bursts, and then the sun comes out again. The overall state culture values tradition over modernization, which means that many amenities may seem a bit behind the times. Thinking of moving here? Let’s dive into the cost of living in Mississippi and see if it’s the right place for you.
How expensive is an apartment in Mississippi?
The average rent for an apartment in Mississippi spans quite a range, depending on the size and the number of bedrooms in the unit. Average rental prices are as follows: $554 for a studio/efficiency, $590 for a one-bedroom, $747 for a two-bedroom, $941 for a three-bedroom, and $1073 for a four-bedroom.
How do I find cheap apartments in Mississippi?
Costs vary throughout the state. You can find the lowest costs of living in the following places in Mississippi:
- Aberdeen
- Clarksdale
- Saltillo
- Moss Point
- Senatobia
- Pontotoc
- Ripley
- Pearl
- Brandon
- Byram
What is the cheapest rent in Mississippi?
One of the cheapest cities to rent an apartment in Mississippi is Aberdeen, in Monroe County. The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment here is $585. However, there are other counties with even more affordable rents. In Smith, Sunflower, Coahoma, Leflore, Prentiss, Pontotoc, Chickasaw, and Jones Counties, you can rent a studio/efficiency for under $500 a month, a one-bedroom apartment for between $500 and $600 a month, a two-bedroom for around $684 to $729, a three-bedroom for $850 to the low 900s, and a four-bedroom for between $945 and $989.
How Mississippi’s Cost of Living Compares to Other States’
The cost of living index in Mississippi is 81.1, lower than the national average (100). The cost of groceries, 94.9, is just a tad lower than the national average. Health care costs are slightly higher, at 101.4. The housing cost average is 55.4, which is dramatically lower than over half of the rest of the country. Utilities are slightly below the national mean, at 97.1. Transportation costs are 83.4, while miscellaneous expenses are 93.1.
The Most Affordable Childcare
Childcare costs in Mississippi are lower than in any other state in the U.S., averaging $5,436 annually. These expenses are incredibly affordable compared to the state with the highest childcare costs, Massachusetts, which tops the scale at a whopping $20,913 per year. Those kinds of savings per annum can instead go into a college fund, family vacations, or other enrichment experiences for your children. While Mississippi has to play catch up to reach higher levels of quality education, the state has recently made strides in the area of Pre-K education, scoring high marks from The National Institute for Early Education Research.
The quality of K-12 education has improved recently, with a 2020 report finding that Mississippi ranks second out of five states that have improved their education systems. The biggest obstacle faced by both pre-K and K-12 education is the lack of state funding to institute changes that educators have recommended. However, it’s clear that the right authorities are working hard to improve educational outcomes for their students, despite budget limitations.
The Cost of Higher Education in Mississippi
Pursuing an advanced degree in Mississippi is more economical than tuition and associated expenses in most other states. The average tuition and fees for state colleges and universities in Mississippi for the 2020-2021 academic year are $5,041 for in-state and $12,417 for out-of-state students. That’s a substantial saving over the 2021 national average tuition and fees of $6,540 for in-state and $17,871 for out-of-state students.
The University of Mississippi, nicknamed Ole Miss, located in Oxford, Mississippi, is a public research university. With its medical center in Jackson, Mississippi, the University of Mississippi is the state’s largest university by enrollment and is touted as the flagship university of Mississippi.
Another economic option for higher education is Mississippi State University (MSU), a public research university with a land grant located near Starkville, Mississippi. Studying at The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at MSU prepares you for careers in the local economy, helping you develop skills for jobs in farming and other agricultural industries. That said, the university has expanded from those early core fields of study, and now you can pursue almost any degree, including architecture, computer science, or veterinary medicine.
Ready to call Mississippi home? Browse apartments for rent on Zumper and get started on your search!
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