Cost of Living in Diamondhead, MS

Population 9,338 · Mississippi · Data vintage 2023

94
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Diamondhead a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $237,000. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 2.2% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Diamondhead is about 40 miles northeast of New Orleans, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 20% lower than New Orleans' $296,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 78
Rent 120

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

About the Cost of Living in Diamondhead

The median home value in Diamondhead is $236,700 — 22% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,571/month, 20% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $86,208/year is 16% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.2%, below 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, Diamondhead has a cost of living index of 94 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 6% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$236,700
22% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$242,652
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,571/mo
20% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,727/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.6x
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 89.3%
Renter-occupied 10.8%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,571
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,185/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
38.4 min
42% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
15.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
75.0%
Carpooled
7.9%
Work from home
15.8%

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
$86,208
16% above avg
Per Capita Income
$46,050
Unemployment Rate
2.2%
55% below avg
Poverty Rate
5.4%
Labor Force Participation
55.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 21.2%
Graduate degree 18.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 52.2
Male median age 45.2
Female median age 53.8

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 50 — Good
51.6%
Good air days/yr
112
Max AQI recorded
252
PM2.5 days
112
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Diamondhead, MS?

Diamondhead has a cost index of 94 (100 = national average). It is 6% below the national average.

What is average rent in Diamondhead, MS?

The median gross rent in Diamondhead is $1,571 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Diamondhead?

The median home value in Diamondhead is $236,700 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Diamondhead?

The median household income in Diamondhead is $86,208 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Diamondhead, MS?

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

Is Diamondhead, MS affordable?

Diamondhead is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 94 (100 = US average).

Diamondhead at a Glance

Population
9,338
Median Income
$86,208
Home Value
$236,700
Median Rent
$1,571/mo
Unemployment
2.2%
Sales Tax
7.1%
View all cities in Mississippi →
🗺️ County data for Mississippi

Explore county-level cost of living data

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