Cost of Living in Fulton, MS

Population 4,511 · Mississippi · Data vintage 2023

50
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Fulton sits on the smaller end of the Mississippi city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 6.6% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Geographically, Fulton lies roughly 85 miles northwest of the nearest major metro, Tuscaloosa. Median home values run roughly 41% lower than Tuscaloosa's $237,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 46
Rent 56

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

About the Cost of Living in Fulton

The median home value in Fulton is $140,300 — 54% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $738/month, 44% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $56,620/year is 24% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.6%, 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%. The climate averages highs of 74.3°F and lows of 52.8°F, with about 1.5" of annual snowfall. Overall, Fulton has a cost of living index of 50 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 50% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$140,300
54% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$152,589
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$738/mo
44% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.8x
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 67.0%
Renter-occupied 33.0%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$738
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,352/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
21.9 min
19% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
5.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
84.6%
Carpooled
7.7%
Walked
0.8%
Work from home
5.9%

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
$56,620
24% below avg
Per Capita Income
$25,104
Unemployment Rate
6.6%
37% above avg
Poverty Rate
9.6%
Labor Force Participation
47.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 6.7%
Graduate degree 14.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 33.2
Male median age 26.1
Female median age 46

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
74.3°F
Avg Low
52.8°F
Annual Precip
57.7"
Annual Snowfall
1.5"
30° 48° 65° 83° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 535866758390929287776456
Low °F 343744526169727164524236
Precip" 4.825.295.375.515.225.014.504.073.573.964.485.94
Snow" 0.60.60.20.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.1

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

87%
4-Year Graduation Rate
13.4:1
Student-teacher ratio
8
Public schools
3,468
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Fulton, MS?

Fulton has a cost index of 50 (100 = national average). It is 50% below the national average.

What is average rent in Fulton, MS?

The median gross rent in Fulton is $738 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Fulton?

The median home value in Fulton is $140,300 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Fulton?

The median household income in Fulton is $56,620 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Fulton, MS?

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

Is Fulton, MS affordable?

Yes, Fulton is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 50 — about 50% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Fulton?

Fulton has average high temperatures of 74.3°F and average lows of 52.8°F. Annual precipitation is 57.7". Average annual snowfall is 1.5". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Fulton at a Glance

Population
4,511
Median Income
$56,620
Home Value
$140,300
Median Rent
$738/mo
Unemployment
6.6%
Avg High Temp
74.3°F
Sales Tax
7.1%
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