Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,133 in Idaho versus $816 in Mississippi. Overall, Mississippi runs roughly 28% cheaper on rent than Idaho, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $81,308 in Idaho and $43,238 in Mississippi — about 47% higher in Idaho. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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)
5.30%
4.00%
+1.3 pp in Idaho
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,133
$816
+28% in Idaho
Median Home Value
$456,000
$108,200
+76% in Idaho
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$81,308
$43,238
+47% in Idaho
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
52.5°F
65.3°F
+12.8°F in Mississippi
Idaho vs Mississippi — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Idaho or Mississippi?
- Mississippi is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $816 runs about 28% below Idaho's $1,133, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Idaho 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 $45,000 a year in Idaho versus $33,000 in Mississippi.
- Which has lower taxes, Idaho or Mississippi?
- Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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 Idaho/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.