Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $870 in Iowa versus $816 in Mississippi. Overall, Mississippi runs roughly 6% cheaper on rent than Iowa, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $63,966 in Iowa and $43,238 in Mississippi — about 32% higher in Iowa. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax; Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6%
7%
+1.0 pp in Mississippi
Income Tax (top rate)
3.80%
4.00%
+0.2 pp in Mississippi
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$870
$816
+6% in Iowa
Median Home Value
$183,700
$108,200
+41% in Iowa
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$63,966
$43,238
+32% in Iowa
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
50.9°F
65.3°F
+14.4°F in Mississippi
Iowa vs Mississippi — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Iowa or Mississippi?
- Mississippi is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $816 runs about 6% below Iowa's $870, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Iowa than in Mississippi?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Iowa versus $33,000 in Mississippi.
- Which has lower taxes, Iowa or Mississippi?
- Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax. Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/1 cities we track in Iowa/Mississippi — not population-weighted statewide figures. Taxes are exact state-level rates. Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026.