Mississippi · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Stone County, MS

The median household in Stone County, MS earns $61,413 a year ($5,118/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $969/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $38,760 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 10% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$61,413$5,118 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$969HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)90.0-10% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate14.9¢per kWh · EIA Residential MS
Census Population18,894Official resident count

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

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$969Monthly market rent
Share of gross income18.9%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$38,760To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,535At 30% of $61,413
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Stone County, MS

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Stone County, 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 Stone County, MS
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$734$8,808$29,36014.3%
1-Bedroom Apartment$739$8,868$29,56014.4%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$969$11,628$38,76018.9%
3-Bedroom Home$1,162$13,944$46,48022.7%
4-Bedroom Home$1,432$17,184$57,28028%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Stone County, MS →

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

Based on the local median household income of $61,413/year ($5,118/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,559/moRent ($969 2-BR), utilities (~$134/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,535/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 90.0 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,024/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.

$61,413
$20,000$125,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$61,413
Net 81%
Fed 8%
MS 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$49,801After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,150Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,915Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$5,190 / yr
Mississippi state income tax$1,725 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,698 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Stone County, MS

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Stone County, MS is $61,413 per year (approximately $5,118 per month).

What is the average rent in Stone County, MS?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Stone County, MS are $734 for a studio, $739 for 1 bedroom, $969 for 2 bedrooms, $1,162 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,432 for 4 bedrooms.

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

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

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($969/month) in Stone County, MS requires a minimum gross household income of $38,760 per year ($3,230 per month).

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

For a typical household earning the median income of $61,413/year ($5,118/month) in Stone County, MS, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,559/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,535/month to discretionary spending, and $1,024/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Stone 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.