Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $782 in Indiana versus $816 in Mississippi. Overall, Indiana runs roughly 4% cheaper on rent than Mississippi, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $60,293 in Indiana and $43,238 in Mississippi — about 28% higher in Indiana. Indiana has a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax; Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
7%
7%
about equal
Income Tax (top rate)
2.95%
4.00%
+1.0 pp in Mississippi
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$782
$816
+4% in Mississippi
Median Home Value
$169,700
$108,200
+36% in Indiana
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$60,293
$43,238
+28% in Indiana
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
53.2°F
65.3°F
+12.1°F in Mississippi
Indiana vs Mississippi — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Indiana or Mississippi?
- Indiana is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $782 runs about 4% below Mississippi's $816, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Indiana 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 $31,000 a year in Indiana versus $33,000 in Mississippi.
- Which has lower taxes, Indiana or Mississippi?
- Indiana has a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% 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 3/1 cities we track in Indiana/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.