Mississippi · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Leake County, MS

The median household in Leake County, MS earns $50,728 a year ($4,227/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $955/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $38,200 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 13% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$50,728$4,227 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$955HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)87.0-13% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate14.9¢per kWh · EIA Residential MS
Census Population21,319Official resident count

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

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$955Monthly market rent
Share of gross income22.6%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$38,200To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,268At 30% of $50,728
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Leake County, MS

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Leake County, MS. 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 Leake County, MS
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$803$9,636$32,12019%
1-Bedroom Apartment$808$9,696$32,32019.1%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$955$11,460$38,20022.6%
3-Bedroom Home$1,145$13,740$45,80027.1%
4-Bedroom Home$1,264$15,168$50,56029.9%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Leake County, MS →

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

Based on the local median household income of $50,728/year ($4,227/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,114/moRent ($955 2-BR), utilities (~$134/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,268/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 87.0 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$845/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.

$50,728
$20,000$105,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$50,728
Net 82%
Fed 8%
MS 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$41,643After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,470Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,602Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,907 / yr
Mississippi state income tax$1,297 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,881 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Leake County, MS

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Leake County, MS is $50,728 per year (approximately $4,227 per month).

What is the average rent in Leake County, MS?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Leake County, MS are $803 for a studio, $808 for 1 bedroom, $955 for 2 bedrooms, $1,145 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,264 for 4 bedrooms.

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

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

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($955/month) in Leake County, MS requires a minimum gross household income of $38,200 per year ($3,183 per month).

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

For a typical household earning the median income of $50,728/year ($4,227/month) in Leake County, MS, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,114/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,268/month to discretionary spending, and $845/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Leake 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.