Mississippi · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Hancock County, MS

The median household in Hancock County, MS earns $67,708 a year ($5,642/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,140/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $45,600 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 10% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$67,708$5,642 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,140HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)90.0-10% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate14.9¢per kWh · EIA Residential MS
Census Population46,167Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Hancock County, MS

Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,140Monthly market rent
Share of gross income20.2%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$45,600To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,693At 30% of $67,708
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Hancock County, MS

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Gulfport-Biloxi, MS HUD Metro FMR Area. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent Schedule for Hancock County, MS
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$786$9,432$31,44013.9%
1-Bedroom Apartment$923$11,076$36,92016.4%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,140$13,680$45,60020.2%
3-Bedroom Home$1,471$17,652$58,84026.1%
4-Bedroom Home$1,612$19,344$64,48028.6%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Hancock County, MS →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Hancock County, MS

Based on the local median household income of $67,708/year ($5,642/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,821/moRent ($1,140 2-BR), utilities (~$134/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,693/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 90.0 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,128/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

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.

$67,708
$25,000$140,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$67,708
Net 80%
Fed 9%
MS 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$54,486After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,541Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,096Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.5%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$6,066 / yr
Mississippi state income tax$1,976 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,180 / yr

Compare earnings and living costs across Mississippi with official federal datasets:

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Hancock County, MS

What is the median household income in Hancock County, MS?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Hancock County, MS is $67,708 per year (approximately $5,642 per month).

What is the average rent in Hancock County, MS?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Hancock County, MS are $786 for a studio, $923 for 1 bedroom, $1,140 for 2 bedrooms, $1,471 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,612 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Hancock County, MS compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Hancock County, MS is 90.0 (10% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Hancock County, MS?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,140/month) in Hancock County, MS requires a minimum gross household income of $45,600 per year ($3,800 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Hancock County, MS?

For a typical household earning the median income of $67,708/year ($5,642/month) in Hancock County, MS, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,821/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,693/month to discretionary spending, and $1,128/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Hancock 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.