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City Housing Verdict

Southaven, MS

Manageable

Your dollar goes further in Southaven, MS — everyday costs run about 14% below the national average (Cost Index: 86). Housing is especially affordable: the median home is valued at $214,800, well under the $303,400 US median. The local median household income of $76,159 tends to stretch further here than in most parts of the country.

Southaven looks comparatively manageable for household relocation, with 21% rent burden, 2.8x home-price-to-income, and a housing index of 71. Use the assumptions below to test whether your own budget still stays in the safe range.Data Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 · BEA RPP 2023 · Zillow ZHVI

Data Updated: March 2026
Housing Feasibility Verdict
Safe

Based on your household income, housing mode, local rent, home value, property tax, and mortgage assumptions for Southaven.

Monthly Housing
$1,331/mo
Lower of rent or buy scenario
Housing Burden
21%
Healthy
Residual Cash
$4,515/mo
After housing and debt · $1,505/person
Rent vs Buy
Buying can be tested
Main pressure: home prices
Assumptions
Housing Mode
Confidence: MediumHome source: ACSRent source: ACSBEA proxy: msaHousehold size: 3Down payment: 20%Fixed burden: 29%
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Cost Index
86
Affordable
Based on housing costs · See methodology
Median Home Value
$214,800
Source: Census ACS
National: $303,400
Median Rent
$1,361/mo
Source: Census ACS
National: $1,348/mo
Household Income
$76,159
National: $78,538
Population
55,531
Purchasing Power
113
100 = national baseline

Cost of Living Breakdown

Each index uses 100 as the US national average. A score of 150 means 50% more expensive; 80 means 20% cheaper.

Housing Cost Index
71 / 100
29% below average
Rent Index
101 / 100
Close to average
Goods & Groceries
96 / 100
About the same as most US cities
Utilities
74 / 100
26% lower utility bills
Healthcare & Services
95 / 100
In line with national average
Overall Index
86
Affordable · 14% below average

Southaven Mortgage Calculator

Pre-filled with the local median home value of $214,800 and Mississippi's property tax rate of 0.81%.

Household Housing Budget

Local median household income is shown only as a place-side affordability input. Personal salary, filing status, and take-home pay analysis belong in salary.city.

Local Household Income
$76,159
Census ACS place context
Rent Burden Estimate
21%
Typical annual rent / local household income
Home Price to Income
2.8x
Typical home value / local household income
Use this section to judge whether Southaven looks structurally manageable for a household budget. For a specific job offer, filing status, payroll taxes, or salary equivalence across cities, run the income-side decision in salary.city.

Property Tax in Southaven, MS

Est. Annual Property Tax
$1,740
Monthly Impact
$145
Added to your mortgage
Effective Rate
0.81%
National avg: ~1.00%

Mississippi Place Tax Context

Tax TypeMississippiNational Avg
Property Tax Rate0.81%1.00%
Top Income Tax Rate5%~5.0%
State Sales Tax7.07%~5.0%

Compare Southaven to Another City

Compare place-side costs such as housing, rent, groceries, utilities, services, and tax context.

Cost of Living Comparison

Compare place-side housing, rent, goods, services, and utility pressure between cities.

Southaven, MS
86
101
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Cost Index Comparison (100 = National Avg)

Housing CostsNational Avg: 100
Southaven, MS: 71
Rent Prices
101

FAQ: Living in Southaven

Is Southaven, MS an affordable place to live?+

Yes — everyday expenses in Southaven run about 14% below the US average (Cost Index: 86). Housing is especially affordable: the median home is valued around $214,800, compared to the $303,400 national median. Monthly rent is typically around $1,361, versus $1,348 nationally.

How does Southaven fit a household housing budget?+

Start with housing. Typical monthly rent is $1,361, while local median household income is $76,159. That implies a rent-burden proxy of about 21% before utilities and other costs. For a specific job offer, filing status, or take-home pay scenario, use salary.city.

How much are taxes in Southaven, MS?+

Mississippi has a progressive state income tax with a top rate of 5%. The effective property tax rate is 0.81%. On a home worth $214,800, that translates to roughly $1,740 per year in property taxes. Sales tax (state + local) averages around 7.07% on everyday purchases.

How much does it cost to rent in Southaven, MS?+

The typical monthly rent in Southaven is around $1,361. That's close to the $1,348 national median. For comparison, the median home value here is $214,800, so buyers should also factor in mortgage payments, property taxes, and insurance.

How much does a house cost in Southaven, MS?+

The median home in Southaven is valued at $214,800. With 20% down and a 6.5% mortgage rate, you'd be looking at roughly $1,086/month for principal and interest alone — before property taxes and insurance. About 72% of residents here own their homes.

Are groceries and utilities expensive in Southaven?+

Grocery prices in Southaven are about average compared to the rest of the US (index: 96, where 100 is the national average). Utility bills (electricity, gas, water) are below average (index: 74). Overall, these everyday costs shouldn't cause major surprises if you're moving from another similarly-sized US city.

What is Southaven, MS like to live in?+

Southaven is a smaller city with a population of about 55,531. The median age of residents is 35.6, which is close to the national median. The local poverty rate is 12.32%, near the national average of 12.4%.

Lower-Pressure Alternatives in Mississippi

If Southaven feels tight, start with these same-state cities that look easier on rent burden or buy-side pressure.

Higher-Pressure Comparisons in Mississippi

Use these city pages when you want to compare Southaven against tougher same-state markets before deciding whether the current city is already a stretch.

LC
Reviewed by LivabilityCalc Research Team
Financial Data Analysts · Census & Economic Data Specialists
Data Sources & Methodology
  • Real Estate & Housing: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI, Smoothed & Seasonally Adjusted) and Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI). Structural fallback utilizes U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates.
  • Goods, Utilities & Services: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Metropolitan Area Regional Price Parities (MARPP), incorporating verified State Nonmetropolitan averages.
  • Mortgage Rates: Freddie Mac 30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage Average in the United States (PMMS) via Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED).
  • Tax Context: State-level property, sales, and income-tax context used for place-side relocation planning. Personal take-home pay and offer analysis are handled by salary.city.
  • Index Methodology: Weighting matrix derived from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Expenditure Surveys (CEX) distributional models. Baseline standardized at 100. (Read methodology details)
Last data update: March 2026 · Mortgage rates updated monthly