Cost of Living in Bay St. Louis, MS
Population 9,971 · Mississippi · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Bay St. Louis is a smaller Mississippi community of around 10000 residents, where median household incomes of $70,082 and housing costs ($232,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. At 7.4%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.
Located 40 miles northeast of New Orleans, Bay St. Louis falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 22% lower than New Orleans' $296,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Bay St. Louis
The median home value in Bay St. Louis is $231,900 — 24% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,138/month, 13% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $70,082/year is 6% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 7.4%, above the national average of 4.8%. Mississippi's top state income tax rate is 4.7% and the combined sales tax is 7.1%. Overall, Bay St. Louis has a cost of living index of 80 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 20% less expensive.
Bay St. Louis has limited residential data
Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Bay St. Louis, MS?
Bay St. Louis has a cost index of 80 (100 = national average). It is 20% below the national average.
What is average rent in Bay St. Louis, MS?
The median gross rent in Bay St. Louis is $1,138 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Bay St. Louis?
The median home value in Bay St. Louis is $231,900 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Bay St. Louis?
The median household income in Bay St. Louis is $70,082 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Bay St. Louis, MS?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Bay St. Louis is 7.1%. The Mississippi state income tax top rate is 4.7%.
Is Bay St. Louis, MS affordable?
Yes, Bay St. Louis is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 80 — about 20% below the US national average of 100.
Bay St. Louis at a Glance
- Population
- 9,971
- Median Income
- $70,082
- Home Value
- $231,900
- Median Rent
- $1,138/mo
- Unemployment
- 7.4%
- Sales Tax
- 7.1%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Mississippi Rankings
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