Cost of Living in Ripley, MS
Population 5,415 · Mississippi · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Ripley is a smaller Mississippi community of around 5000 residents, where median household incomes of $56,641 and housing costs ($133,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 10.5% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.
Ripley is about 65 miles east of Memphis, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 16% lower than Memphis' $157,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Ripley
The median home value in Ripley is $132,500 — 57% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $683/month, 48% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $56,641/year is 24% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 10.5%, 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, Ripley has a cost of living index of 47 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 53% less expensive.
Ripley 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
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Ripley, MS?
Ripley has a cost index of 47 (100 = national average). It is 53% below the national average.
What is average rent in Ripley, MS?
The median gross rent in Ripley is $683 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Ripley?
The median home value in Ripley is $132,500 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Ripley?
The median household income in Ripley is $56,641 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Ripley, MS?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Ripley is 7.1%. The Mississippi state income tax top rate is 4.7%.
Is Ripley, MS affordable?
Yes, Ripley is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 47 — about 53% below the US national average of 100.
Ripley at a Glance
- Population
- 5,415
- Median Income
- $56,641
- Home Value
- $132,500
- Median Rent
- $683/mo
- Unemployment
- 10.5%
- Sales Tax
- 7.1%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Mississippi Rankings
Similar Cost Cities
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