Is $30,000 a good salary in Mississippi?

$30,000 in Mississippi provides a monthly take-home of approximately $2,067 after taxes. Across major Mississippi cities, this salary is rated manageable, with an average monthly surplus of $238.

What is the cost of living on $30,000 in Mississippi?

The average monthly living cost across major Mississippi cities is approximately $1,829 for a single adult (rent, food, transport, utilities, healthcare). On $30,000 take-home pay of $2,067/month, you would have roughly $238/month remaining.

Living in Mississippi · 2026

Is $30,000 enough to live in Mississippi?

Single adult · MS · 2026 tax brackets · Real cost-of-living data

Statewide verdict:Manageable

Monthly take-home

$2,067

Avg monthly expenses

$1,829

Avg monthly surplus

$238

Savings potential

~12%

After-tax take-home in Mississippi

Gross salary$30,000

Federal income tax− $1,494

State income tax− $1,410

Social Security− $1,860

Medicare− $435

Annual take-home$24,801

Effective tax rate17.33%

How $30,000 feels in Mississippi cities

Rent: HUD FMR 2026 · Food: USDA Low-Cost Plan × COL · Transport/Utilities/Healthcare: BLS CES × COL

Jackson

COL index: 0.83× national avg

Manageable

Rent (1BR)

$900

Food

$365

Transport

$145

Utilities

$137

Healthcare

$166

Total: $1,713/mo

Surplus: $354/mo

Rent burden: 43.5% — High (35–50%)

Full Jackson analysis →

Gulfport

COL index: 0.88× national avg

Manageable

Rent (1BR)

$1,000

Food

$387

Transport

$154

Utilities

$145

Healthcare

$176

Total: $1,862/mo

Surplus: $205/mo

Rent burden: 48.4% — High (35–50%)

Full Gulfport analysis →

Southaven

COL index: 0.91× national avg

Manageable

Rent (1BR)

$1,050

Food

$396

Transport

$159

Utilities

$150

Healthcare

$182

Total: $1,937/mo

Surplus: $130/mo

Rent burden: 50.8% — Unaffordable (> 50%)

Full Southaven analysis →

Hattiesburg

COL index: 0.85× national avg

Manageable

Rent (1BR)

$950

Food

$378

Transport

$149

Utilities

$140

Healthcare

$170

Total: $1,787/mo

Surplus: $280/mo

Rent burden: 46.0% — High (35–50%)

Full Hattiesburg analysis →

Biloxi

COL index: 0.91× national avg

Manageable

Rent (1BR)

$1,050

Food

$387

Transport

$159

Utilities

$150

Healthcare

$182

Total: $1,928/mo

Surplus: $139/mo

Rent burden: 50.8% — Unaffordable (> 50%)

Full Biloxi analysis →

Meridian

COL index: 0.80× national avg

Manageable

Rent (1BR)

$850

Food

$466

Transport

$140

Utilities

$132

Healthcare

$160

Total: $1,748/mo

Surplus: $319/mo

Rent burden: 41.1% — High (35–50%)

Full Meridian analysis →

50 / 30 / 20 Budget Planner

Based on your monthly take-home of $2,067 ($24,804/yr)

Needs 50%Wants 30%Savings 20%

Needs50%

$1,034

per month

›Rent / mortgage
›Groceries
›Utilities
›Insurance
›Minimum debt payments
›Transportation

Wants30%

$620

per month

›Dining out
›Streaming services
›Gym
›Hobbies
›Travel
›Shopping

Savings20%

$413

per month

›Emergency fund
›401(k) / IRA
›Investments
›Down payment fund
›Debt payoff (extra)

Needs / year

$12,402

Wants / year

$7,441

Savings / year

$4,961

Salary Intelligence

Below comfortable level in Jackson

Rent would consume 44% of take-home income — above the 35% stress threshold. A higher salary or lower-cost housing is needed for financial stability in this city.

Lifestyle score: 5.2/10 (Fair)

Lifestyle Assessment

A $30,000 salary supports a fair single lifestyle in Jackson, Mississippi. After essential expenses, approximately $354/month (~17% of take-home) is available for savings or discretionary spending.

Purchasing Power

Due to Jackson's low cost of living (index: 0.83), $30,000 here has the purchasing power of roughly $66,867 in San Francisco or $70,482 in New York City. Your dollar goes significantly further here.

State & National Benchmark

$30,000 is 4% below the Mississippi individual median of $31,100. Consider negotiating a higher salary or exploring higher-paying roles in this state.

State individual median

$31,100

-4%

State household median

$52,985

-43%

Tax reduction strategies

Maximize 401(k) Contributions — Up to $5,170 in federal tax (22% bracket)

Contribute to a Traditional IRA — Up to $1,540 in federal tax (22% bracket)

$30,000 vs. Mississippi income benchmarks

Individual median (Mississippi)

$31,100

-4% vs. this salary

Household median (Mississippi)

$52,985

-43% vs. this salary

Source: US Census Bureau ACS 2023

Related salary insights

Explore other salary levels in Mississippi

$40,000 $60,000 $100,000 $150,000 $200,000 $300,000

Reviewed by

Finance Editor

CPA, 10+ years in personal finance

Data Sources

•Tax calculations: IRS federal tax tables
•Rent data: HUD Fair Market Rents
•Cost-of-living index: C2ER / ACCRA Cost of Living Index

Data updated monthly using government datasets.