Mississippi · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Lowndes County, MS

The median household in Lowndes County, MS earns $53,812 a year ($4,484/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $872/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $34,880 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 13% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$53,812$4,484 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$872HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)87.0-13% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate14.9¢per kWh · EIA Residential MS
Census Population57,838Official resident count

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

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$872Monthly market rent
Share of gross income19.4%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$34,880To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,345At 30% of $53,812
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Lowndes County, MS

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Lowndes 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 Lowndes County, MS
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$738$8,856$29,52016.5%
1-Bedroom Apartment$743$8,916$29,72016.6%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$872$10,464$34,88019.4%
3-Bedroom Home$1,195$14,340$47,80026.6%
4-Bedroom Home$1,263$15,156$50,52028.2%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Lowndes County, MS →

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

Based on the local median household income of $53,812/year ($4,484/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,242/moRent ($872 2-BR), utilities (~$134/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,345/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 87.0 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$897/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.

$53,812
$20,000$110,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$53,812
Net 82%
Fed 8%
MS 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$43,997After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,666Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,692Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.2%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$4,277 / yr
Mississippi state income tax$1,420 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,117 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Lowndes County, MS

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Lowndes County, MS is $53,812 per year (approximately $4,484 per month).

What is the average rent in Lowndes County, MS?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Lowndes County, MS are $738 for a studio, $743 for 1 bedroom, $872 for 2 bedrooms, $1,195 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,263 for 4 bedrooms.

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

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

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($872/month) in Lowndes County, MS requires a minimum gross household income of $34,880 per year ($2,907 per month).

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

For a typical household earning the median income of $53,812/year ($4,484/month) in Lowndes County, MS, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,242/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,345/month to discretionary spending, and $897/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Lowndes 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.