Cost of Living in Mississippi County, Arkansas
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
How Mississippi County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Mississippi County ranks #2,667 of 3,144 counties for affordability (bottom 15%)
Data Story
About Cost of Living in Mississippi County, Arkansas
Mississippi County meets national standard
Mississippi County renters spend 17.9% of income on housing, just below the national average of roughly 18%, indicating solid affordability for renting. With median household income of $53,428 and median rent of $797, the county offers balanced housing costs relative to national benchmarks.
Mississippi performs near state average
Mississippi County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.9% sits just below Arkansas's state average of 18.1%, placing it near the middle tier of state affordability. The median rent of $797 slightly exceeds the state median of $760, offset by incomes near state norms.
Mississippi ranks in middle tier
Mississippi County's $797 median rent and 17.9% ratio sit between affordable peers like Madison ($727, 16.2%) and stressed counties like Miller ($882, 21.2%). The county offers moderate housing costs that reflect regional variation but remain manageable for most households.
Owners enjoy clear advantage
Renters pay $797 monthly (17.9% of the $53,428 household income), while homeowners pay $704—a relatively modest difference in absolute terms. Owner costs represent 13.2% of income, providing meaningful savings compared to renting.
Mississippi County offers balance
Mississippi County delivers middle-of-the-road affordability; renters find reasonable costs near national standards, while homebuyers enjoy solid value at a median of $115,800. If stability and balance matter to you, Mississippi County ranks among the safer affordability bets in this group.
Cost of Living Advisory: Mississippi County
Affordability Verdict
Mississippi County offers affordable rental housing at a median of $797/month — about 17.9% of the typical household income here.
Rent vs. Own
At $797/month rent versus $704/month in owner costs, owning is roughly $93/month cheaper — a 12% difference.
Income Needed
To afford the median rent without exceeding 30% of gross income, a household needs to earn approximately $31,880/year. For owner costs at the 28% rule, the required income is roughly $30,171/year. With a median household income of $53,428, most households can comfortably afford rent here. Notably, 25.0% of renter households in Mississippi County are cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of income on housing.
Regional Context
Within Arkansas, Mississippi County is less affordable than Jefferson County by roughly 6% ($797/mo vs $849/mo).
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Mississippi County
Rent Burden
17.9%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,247
per month
Owner Cost Burden
15.8%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Mississippi County
Median home value is $115,800. Estimated monthly cost: $924 vs. your max of $1,247.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
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Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
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See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.
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