Cost of Living in Madison County, Mississippi
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
How Madison County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Madison County ranks #2,022 of 3,144 counties for affordability (bottom 36%)
Data Story
About Cost of Living in Madison County, Mississippi
Madison County punches above average
Madison County renters spend 16.7% of income on rent, matching national affordability standards and beating Mississippi's 19.6% state average by 3 percentage points. At $1,097 monthly, Madison rents are the region's highest, yet the county's $78,794 median income—also the strongest here—makes them manageable.
Top tier for Mississippi affordability
Madison County's 16.7% rent-to-income ratio ranks among Mississippi's best, and its $78,794 median household income far exceeds the state norm. This county combines above-average wages with proportionally reasonable housing costs—a rare combination in Mississippi.
Highest wages justify highest rents
Madison's $1,097 rent and $1,371 monthly owner costs are the region's steepest, but the $78,794 median income dwarfs all neighbors—nearly $11,000 more than Lee County's second-place $67,144. That wage premium makes Madison's housing costs proportionally affordable despite their high dollar amounts.
Premium housing, premium incomes balance
Renters allocate 16.7% of their $78,794 income to $1,097 rent—well within healthy affordability bounds—while homeowners paying $1,371 monthly represent 20.9% of income. Both renters and owners enjoy substantial discretionary income after housing, a luxury most Mississippi counties cannot offer.
Madison offers Mississippi's best balance
If you earn above $70,000 and want to relocate within Mississippi, Madison County delivers the state's strongest affordability ratio while supporting higher-wage opportunities. Your housing costs will be higher in absolute dollars, but you'll keep a larger share of your paycheck than nearly anywhere else in the state.
Cost of Living Advisory: Madison County
Affordability Verdict
Housing in Madison County is affordable. The median rent is $1,097/month against a median household income of $78,794, putting rent at 16.7% of income.
Rent vs. Own
At $1,097/month rent versus $1,371/month in owner costs, renting is roughly $274/month cheaper — a 20% difference.
Income Needed
To afford the median rent without exceeding 30% of gross income, a household needs to earn approximately $43,880/year. For owner costs at the 28% rule, the required income is roughly $58,757/year. With a median household income of $78,794, most households can comfortably afford rent here. Notably, 31.0% of renter households in Madison County are cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of income on housing.
Regional Context
Within Mississippi, Madison County is more affordable than Hinds County by roughly 6% ($1,097/mo vs $1,032/mo).
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Madison County
Rent Burden
16.7%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,839
per month
Owner Cost Burden
20.9%
of gross income
The median home in Madison County may be a stretch
Median home value is $286,300. Estimated monthly cost: $2,286 vs. your max of $1,839.
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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