A+
4%
Overall NAT. AVG.
4%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
3%
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 Ocean Springs Mississippi National
Cost of living9683100
Goods & Services9792100
Groceries9797100
Health care10698100
Housing9763100
Transportation9388100
Utilities8986100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Ocean Springs, MS

Knowing the cost of living in Ocean Springs 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 Ocean Springs stands at 96, marking it 4% lower than the national average.

The cost of living in Ocean Springs is about average when compared to all other cities across the nation. You can expect that everyday items like food, goods and services and utility bills will be no more expensive than any other average city. Residents can anticipate living expenses that remain in line with the national average, ensuring a manageable financial burden, making it an attractive choice for those seeking affordability without the constraints of higher everyday expenditures.

Is Ocean Springs Affordable?

Is Ocean Springs 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 Ocean Springs, for instance, where the median home price falls 6.3% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 5.9% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Ocean Springs flaunting a median household income of $60,859, 10% higher than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Ocean Springs?

Transportation: In cities with limited or no public transportation, residents may find it necessary to own and maintain vehicles, thereby elevating the cost of living. Monthly expenditures include fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potential lease or financing commitments. In Ocean Springs, the transportation index stands at 7.4% lower than the national average.

Housing: Elevated demand for housing within coveted locales has the propensity to escalate both property values and rental rates, thereby serving as a primary catalyst for an augmented cost of living. Conversely, areas witnessing diminished housing demand, particularly within less desirable environs, often experience an inversely proportional effect, leading to price reductions and subsequently contributing to a more modest cost of living. In Ocean Springs, the housing index is 2.6% lower than the national average.

Subsidies: Certain cities or states may implement government subsidies or assistance programs with the goal of alleviating the cost of living pressures on their residents. These programs encompass a broad spectrum of support mechanisms, including 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 offering fewer subsidies may experience a rise in their cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Ocean Springs 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 Ocean Springs is 15% higher than the Mississippi average
  • The cost of living in Ocean Springs is 4% lower than the national average
  • Ocean Springs housing is 3% 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 Ocean Springs

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Compare Ocean Springs, 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$81,845$6,820$1,910$2,456
      Renters$35,642$2,970$832$1,069
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Ocean Springs is by simply calculating the maximum that should be spent on housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The plan is to avoid spending more than 28 percent of the gross income on costs that pertain to housing and no more than 36 percent on all expenses and debts. Ocean Springs has a median income of about $81,845 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $1,910 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $35,642. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $832 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      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 Ocean Springs National avg. Difference
      Haircut $24.75$24.262.0%
      Beauty Salon $45.72$45.560.4%
      Toothpaste $3.59$3.703.0%
      Shampoo $1.17$1.288.4%
      Movie $10.62$12.1312.4%
      Bowling $17.33$18.003.7%

      Groceries

      Item Ocean Springs National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.76$5.841.4%
      Fried Chicken $1.74$1.5710.7%
      Milk $4.55$4.672.5%
      Potatoes $5.16$4.934.6%
      Pizza $11.24$12.097.0%
      Beer $9.16$10.4112.0%

      Health Care

      Item Ocean Springs National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $122.28$125.682.7%
      Doctor $128.94$135.785.0%
      Dentist $138.76$113.2922.5%
      Ibuprofen $10.07$10.655.4%
      Lipitor $491.22$468.604.8%

      Housing

      Item Ocean Springs National avg. Difference
      Home Price $173,100.00$184,700.006.3%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,663.88$2,346.6929.1%
      Apartment Rent $1,005.00$949.005.9%

      Transportation

      Item Ocean Springs National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.08$3.4611.0%
      Tire Balancing $60.67$59.921.2%

      Utilities

      Item Ocean Springs National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $162.85$193.9916.1%
      Phone $187.62$192.252.4%
      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.
      St. Martin, MS8,2118910.7%
      Latimer, MS6,148918.7%
      Gautier, MS18,436918.6%
      Gulf Hills, MS8,824937.1%
      Biloxi, MS46,042946.0%
      Ocean Springs, MS17,756963.9%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Lackawanna, NY17,7518515.5%
      Miramichi, NB17,761n/a 
      Selma, AL17,7628218.2%
      Maitland, FL17,74912727.3%
      Gretna, LA17,746946.0%
      Ocean Springs, MS17,756963.9%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.