Cost of Living in Cleveland, MS

Population 10,855 · Mississippi · Data vintage 2023

58
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

At $43,519, median household incomes in Cleveland land roughly 42% below the US median, a gap that tends to persist across local labor-market indicators. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 6.9% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Located 105 miles north of Jackson, Cleveland is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 50% higher than Jackson's $108,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 53
Rent 65

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Cleveland

The median home value in Cleveland is $162,300 — 47% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $860/month, 35% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $43,519/year is 42% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.9%, 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, Cleveland has a cost of living index of 58 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 42% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$162,300
47% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$140,573
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$860/mo
35% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.7x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
0.7%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$770
1 BR
$802
2 BR
$933
3 BR
$1,238
4 BR
$1,321
Owner-occupied 65.9%
Renter-occupied 34.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$860
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,474/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
20.4 min
24% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
0.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
86.7%
Carpooled
9.9%
Walked
1.4%
Work from home
0.8%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 4.7%
Total Sales Tax 7.1%
State rate 7.0%
Avg local rate 0.1%
Property Tax 0.7%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$43,519
42% below avg
Per Capita Income
$26,483
Unemployment Rate
6.9%
43% above avg
Poverty Rate
28.6%
Labor Force Participation
53.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 21.1%
Graduate degree 13.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 34.7
Male median age 33.4
Female median age 35.4

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 52 — Moderate
44.5%
Good air days/yr
126
Max AQI recorded
297
PM2.5 days
67
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

82%
4-Year Graduation Rate
14.9:1
Student-teacher ratio
9
Public schools
3,352
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Cleveland, MS?

Cleveland has a cost index of 58 (100 = national average). It is 42% below the national average.

What is average rent in Cleveland, MS?

The median gross rent in Cleveland is $860 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Cleveland?

The median home value in Cleveland is $162,300 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Cleveland?

The median household income in Cleveland is $43,519 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Cleveland, MS?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Cleveland is 7.1%. The Mississippi state income tax top rate is 4.7%.

Is Cleveland, MS affordable?

Yes, Cleveland is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 58 — about 42% below the US national average of 100.