Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $816 in Mississippi versus $1,166 in Utah. Overall, Mississippi runs roughly 30% cheaper on rent than Utah, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $43,238 in Mississippi and $74,925 in Utah — about 42% higher in Utah. Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax; Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
7%
6.1%
+0.9 pp in Mississippi
Income Tax (top rate)
4.00%
4.50%
+0.5 pp in Utah
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$816
$1,166
+43% in Utah
Median Home Value
$108,200
$495,700
+358% in Utah
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$43,238
$74,925
+73% in Utah
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
65.3°F
52.8°F
+12.5°F in Mississippi
Mississippi vs Utah — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Mississippi or Utah?
- Mississippi is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $816 runs about 30% below Utah's $1,166, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Mississippi than in Utah?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Mississippi versus $47,000 in Utah.
- Which has lower taxes, Mississippi or Utah?
- Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax. Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/1 cities we track in Mississippi/Utah — 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.