A+
11%
Overall NAT. AVG.
14%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
8%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Starkville Mississippi National
Cost of living8983100
Goods & Services8692100
Groceries9697100
Health care8698100
Housing9263100
Transportation8988100
Utilities8586100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Starkville, MS

Knowing the cost of living in Starkville allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Starkville stands at 89, marking it 11% lower than the national average.

Everyday staples like clothes, toiletries and entertainment expenses play a big role in your total living costs. But in Starkville, these goods are 14.3% cheaper than the national average. So, you can enjoy what you need and love without emptying your wallet. Plus, you'll have more cash to put towards your savings or any other money goals you have, which is a real boost for your financial well-being.

Is Starkville Affordable?

Is Starkville affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Starkville, for instance, where the median home price falls 3.6% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 17% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Starkville flaunting a median household income of $35,300, 36.2% lower than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Starkville?

Housing: A sought-after location with high housing demand often leads to increased property values and rental rates, which can significantly inflate the overall cost of living. Conversely, areas with low housing demand, particularly in less desirable locales, tend to experience the opposite effect, causing prices to drop and contributing to a more affordable cost of living. In Starkville, the housing index stands at 7.6% lower than the national average.

Subsidies: Certain regions may provide government subsidies or assistance initiatives designed to alleviate the cost of living burden on their residents. These programs encompass a wide range of support mechanisms, such as Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farming subsidies. Areas with fewer subsidy offerings might experience an elevation in their cost of living.

Groceries: Grocery prices have seen substantial hikes in the last 2-3 years, with some markets witnessing food cost increases of over 20% during this period. Conversely, certain markets have experienced only moderate upticks. These variations in food expenses can have a substantial impact on the overall cost of living in any locality. In Starkville, the groceries index is 4.5% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Starkville displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Starkville is 7% higher than the Mississippi average
  • The cost of living in Starkville is 11% lower than the national average
  • Starkville housing is 8% lower than the national average
  • Mississippi general sales tax is 37% higher than the national average
  • Mississippi state income tax is 93% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Starkville

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Compare Starkville, MS Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$74,447$6,204$1,737$2,234
      Renters$16,699$1,392$390$501
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Starkville, MS, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in Starkville have a median income of $74,447. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $1,737 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $16,699, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $390.

      Mississippi Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Mississippi 7% 7.25%

      Mississippi Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Mississippi 5% 5%

      Goods & Services

      Item Starkville National avg. Difference
      Haircut $23.45$24.263.4%
      Beauty Salon $26.75$45.5641.3%
      Toothpaste $3.71$3.700.3%
      Shampoo $1.06$1.2817.2%
      Movie $10.65$12.1312.3%
      Bowling $12.50$18.0030.6%

      Groceries

      Item Starkville National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.01$5.842.9%
      Fried Chicken $1.62$1.573.3%
      Milk $4.51$4.673.4%
      Potatoes $5.06$4.932.5%
      Pizza $11.06$12.098.5%
      Beer $9.17$10.4112.0%

      Health Care

      Item Starkville National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $120.17$125.684.4%
      Doctor $78.94$135.7841.9%
      Dentist $108.33$113.294.4%
      Ibuprofen $10.05$10.655.7%
      Lipitor $486.28$468.603.8%

      Housing

      Item Starkville National avg. Difference
      Home Price $178,000.00$184,700.003.6%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,755.69$2,346.6925.2%
      Apartment Rent $788.00$949.0017.0%

      Transportation

      Item Starkville National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.00$3.4613.4%
      Tire Balancing $57.33$59.924.3%

      Utilities

      Item Starkville National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $148.63$193.9923.4%
      Phone $186.87$192.252.8%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Crawford, MS4237623.7%
      Artesia, MS3567524.8%
      Maben, MS8027524.7%
      West Point, MS10,5177921.4%
      Sturgis, MS1977921.1%
      Starkville, MS25,4958910.8%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Lockport, IL25,49911111.2%
      South Pasadena, CA25,478225124.8%
      Coral Terrace, FL25,52912727.2%
      McDonough, GA25,572990.5%
      Cliffside Park, NJ25,41014949.5%
      Starkville, MS25,4958910.8%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.