Cost of Living in Smith County, Mississippi
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How Smith County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Smith County ranks #131 of 3,142 counties for affordability (top 4%)
Sourced county brief
Median Monthly Owner Costs in Smith County Estimated at $542
In Smith County, the median selected monthly owner cost for all owner-occupied units was estimated at $542. This figure is $134 below the Mississippi unweighted county mean of $676. The official Gross Rent as a Percentage of Household Income (GRAPI), found in ACS table B25071, was 27.2%. This canonical rentToIncomePct is 2.3 percentage points lower than the state unweighted county mean of 29.5%. For renter-occupied units, the median gross rent was $664 per month, while the state unweighted county mean for rent was $805. The median home value in the county was recorded at $112,600, compared to the state unweighted county mean of $135,817. Additionally, the median renter-household income was $37,841. These figures describe two distinct housing-tenure groups based on the 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: Smith County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 27.2% of renter household income in Smith County, which is below the 30% affordability benchmark. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $664 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $542. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $26,560 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The Mississippi unweighted mean of county median rents is $805 per month. Smith County's $664 median is 17.5% below that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Smith County
Rent Burden
13.1%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,421
per month
Owner Cost Burden
10.7%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Smith County
Median home value is $112,600. Estimated monthly cost: $899 vs. your max of $1,421.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
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
What is the cost of living in Smith County, Mississippi?
What is the median rent in Smith County?
Is Smith County affordable?
How does Smith County's rent compare to the state average?
What is the median home value in Smith County?
Counties with Similar Housing Costs
Planning a Move?
Researching the cost of living in Smith County, Mississippi? Compare moving quotes from top providers and save on your relocation.
Compare Moving QuotesCompare Mortgage Rates in Smith County
Whether you're buying in Smith County, Mississippi, or refinancing, compare rates from top lenders using the terms each lender provides.
See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
CostByCounty participates in affiliate programs. We may earn a commission when you use our links, at no extra cost to you.