Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$39,585$3,299 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Bolivar County, MS
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Bolivar County, MS
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Bolivar County, MS. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $638 | $7,656 | $25,520 | 19.3% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $642 | $7,704 | $25,680 | 19.5% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $842 | $10,104 | $33,680 | 25.5% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,096 | $13,152 | $43,840 | 33.2% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,115 | $13,380 | $44,600 | 33.8% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Bolivar County, MS
Based on the local median household income of $39,585/year ($3,299/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Mississippi
Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Mississippi state income tax based on the local median baseline.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across Mississippi with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Bolivar County, MS
What is the median household income in Bolivar County, MS?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Bolivar County, MS is $39,585 per year (approximately $3,299 per month).
What is the average rent in Bolivar County, MS?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Bolivar County, MS are $638 for a studio, $642 for 1 bedroom, $842 for 2 bedrooms, $1,096 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,115 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Bolivar County, MS compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Bolivar County, MS is 87.0 (13% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Bolivar County, MS?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($842/month) in Bolivar County, MS requires a minimum gross household income of $33,680 per year ($2,807 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Bolivar County, MS?
For a typical household earning the median income of $39,585/year ($3,299/month) in Bolivar County, MS, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $1,649/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $990/month to discretionary spending, and $660/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Bolivar County, MS?
Residential electricity rates in Mississippi average 14.9¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $134 per month.