A+
12%
Overall NAT. AVG.
3%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
31%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Search Homes for Sale
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 Picayune Mississippi National
Cost of living8883100
Goods & Services10392100
Groceries9697100
Health care11498100
Housing6963100
Transportation9288100
Utilities7886100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Picayune, MS

Knowing the cost of living in Picayune 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 Picayune stands at 88, marking it 12% lower than the national average.

Is Picayune Affordable?

Is Picayune an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Picayune is 36.9% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 18.1% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Picayune has a median household income of $31,349, which is 43.3% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Picayune?

Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In Picayune, the housing index is 31.3% lower than the national average.

Taxes: Areas with higher taxes, including sales taxes and income taxes, can contribute to a higher cost of living. Paying more tax for everyday goods and services like clothing and food will result in higher costs, as will paying a higher rate of income tax. The general sales tax rate in Picayune starts at 7% and the income tax rates start at 0%.

Urbanization: Urban areas with extensive amenities and job opportunities tend to have a higher cost of living due to increased demand for services and relocation, resulting in higher home prices and higher rents. Less densely populated rural areas, or areas with less demand tend to have fewer amenities and slower job growth, which results in a lower cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Picayune, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

New Real Estate Listings in Picayune Area
Search Homes for Sale in Picayune, MS

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Picayune is 6% higher than the Mississippi average
  • The cost of living in Picayune is 12% lower than the national average
  • Picayune housing is 31% 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 Picayune

See all the best places to live around Picayune

Compare Picayune, MS Cost of Living

      vs
      How would you rate the cost of living in Picayune?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      Is the cost of living increasing or decreasing in Picayune?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      See all Picayune poll results

      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$36,170$3,014$844$1,085
      Renters$24,681$2,057$576$741
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Picayune 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. Picayune has a median income of about $36,170 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $844 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $24,681. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $576 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 Picayune National avg. Difference
      Haircut $21.67$24.2610.7%
      Beauty Salon $43.17$45.565.3%
      Toothpaste $3.57$3.703.6%
      Shampoo $1.22$1.284.5%
      Movie $13.30$12.139.6%
      Bowling $12.33$18.0031.5%

      Groceries

      Item Picayune National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.15$5.845.3%
      Fried Chicken $1.39$1.5711.6%
      Milk $4.55$4.672.5%
      Potatoes $5.31$4.937.5%
      Pizza $12.61$12.094.3%
      Beer $10.23$10.411.7%

      Health Care

      Item Picayune National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $128.17$125.682.0%
      Doctor $127.78$135.785.9%
      Dentist $129.44$113.2914.3%
      Ibuprofen $10.46$10.651.8%
      Lipitor $482.03$468.602.9%

      Housing

      Item Picayune National avg. Difference
      Home Price $116,500.00$184,700.0036.9%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,882.94$2,346.6919.8%
      Apartment Rent $777.00$949.0018.1%

      Transportation

      Item Picayune National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.14$3.469.2%
      Tire Balancing $68.00$59.9213.5%

      Utilities

      Item Picayune National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $149.86$193.9922.8%
      Phone $186.90$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.
      Nicholson, MS2,4778317.1%
      Sun, LA5218019.6%
      Kiln, MS2,462936.8%
      Hide-A-Way Lake, MS2,217927.7%
      Pearl River, LA2,618963.9%
      Picayune, MS11,0168811.6%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      New Baltimore, VA11,01715251.5%
      Notre-Dame-de-l'Île-Perrot, QC11,017n/a 
      Doctor Phillips, FL11,02013130.7%
      Middle Island, NY11,03012424.2%
      Saltspring Island, BC11,001n/a 
      Picayune, MS11,0168811.6%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.