Mississippi · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Harrison County, MS

The median household in Harrison County, MS earns $59,479 a year ($4,957/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

$59,479$4,957 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 Population210,891Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Harrison 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 income23%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$45,600To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,487At 30% of $59,479
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Harrison 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 Harrison County, MS
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$786$9,432$31,44015.9%
1-Bedroom Apartment$923$11,076$36,92018.6%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,140$13,680$45,60023%
3-Bedroom Home$1,471$17,652$58,84029.7%
4-Bedroom Home$1,612$19,344$64,48032.5%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Harrison County, MS →

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

Based on the local median household income of $59,479/year ($4,957/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,478/moRent ($1,140 2-BR), utilities (~$134/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,487/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 90.0 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$991/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.

$59,479
$20,000$120,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$59,479
Net 81%
Fed 8%
MS 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$48,324After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,027Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,859Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.8%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$4,957 / yr
Mississippi state income tax$1,647 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,550 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Harrison County, MS

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Harrison County, MS is $59,479 per year (approximately $4,957 per month).

What is the average rent in Harrison County, MS?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Harrison 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 Harrison County, MS compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Harrison 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 Harrison County, MS?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,140/month) in Harrison 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 Harrison County, MS?

For a typical household earning the median income of $59,479/year ($4,957/month) in Harrison County, MS, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,478/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,487/month to discretionary spending, and $991/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Harrison 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.