Cost of Living in Petal, MS
Population 11,195 · Mississippi · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Housing costs in Petal stay well under national norms: a median home value of $161,000 against median household incomes of $72,845 gives the city one of the more comfortable price-to-income ratios in Mississippi.
Petal lies roughly 80 miles northwest of the nearest major metro, Mobile — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Housing prices track closely with Mobile's $170,000 median.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Petal
The median home value in Petal is $161,400 — 47% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $958/month, 27% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $72,845/year is 2% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.7%, 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 77.6°F and lows of 55.3°F. Overall, Petal has a cost of living index of 61 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 39% less expensive.
🏠 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
🌤 Climate
NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 60 | 65 | 72 | 78 | 85 | 90 | 92 | 92 | 88 | 80 | 69 | 62 |
| Low °F | 38 | 42 | 48 | 54 | 62 | 70 | 72 | 72 | 67 | 55 | 44 | 41 |
| Precip" | 5.82 | 4.88 | 5.57 | 5.37 | 4.44 | 5.85 | 5.70 | 4.75 | 4.15 | 3.70 | 3.70 | 4.98 |
💨 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 Petal, MS?
Petal has a cost index of 61 (100 = national average). It is 39% below the national average.
What is average rent in Petal, MS?
The median gross rent in Petal is $958 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Petal?
The median home value in Petal is $161,400 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Petal?
The median household income in Petal is $72,845 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Petal, MS?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Petal is 7.1%. The Mississippi state income tax top rate is 4.7%.
Is Petal, MS affordable?
Yes, Petal is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 61 — about 39% below the US national average of 100.
What is the weather like in Petal?
Petal has average high temperatures of 77.6°F and average lows of 55.3°F. Annual precipitation is 58.9". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Petal at a Glance
- Population
- 11,195
- Median Income
- $72,845
- Home Value
- $161,400
- Median Rent
- $958/mo
- Unemployment
- 5.7%
- Avg High Temp
- 77.6°F
- Sales Tax
- 7.1%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Mississippi Rankings
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