Cost of Living in Meridian, MS
| Cost of Living in Meridian, MS | Compared to State Average | Compared to National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (Buy and Rent) | 2% higher | 28% lower |
| Utilities (Monthly) | 1% lower | 13% lower |
| Food | 1% higher | 2% lower |
| Healthcare | 2% higher | - |
| Transportation | 3% lower | 11% lower |
| Goods & Services | 2% higher | 7% lower |
The cost of living in Meridian, MS is 1% higher than the state average and 13% lower than the national average. Meridian, MS housing is 28% cheaper than the U.S average, while utilities are about 13% less pricey. When it comes to basic necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 2% cheaper in Meridian, MS than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs around 7% less .
Healthcare services such as doctor check-ups and dentistry cost 0% here compared to the U.S. average. At the same time, non-necessary expenses such as entertainment and grooming services are 7% cheaper in Meridian, MS.
Housing is the most significant expense for most American households. The cost of living in a certain city takes into account both the price of rent and the price of a home. The average monthly rent in Meridian is $877, while home prices circle around $360,767.
Both owning and renting come with utility expenses. These costs include basic services such as energy and telecommunications. In Meridian, energy bills cost around $157.72 per month.
Food is the most important necessity and its cost varies around the country. This section includes the prices of everyday foods such as produce, meat and dairy. A bottle of milk costs about $4.51 in Meridian, a dozen eggs go for around $3.60 and a pound of potatoes circles around $5.04.
The benchmark for this category is based on the prices of family doctor visits and specialized services such as optometry. In Meridian, an optometry check-up costs around $113.80, while a dentist appointment is priced $140.00 on average.
Transportation expenses depend on multiple factors, with fuel being the most important. A gallon of gas is priced around $3.06 in Meridian, while getting your tires balanced will run you about $53.14.
The cost of clothing tells you how much more or less money you need to buy basic items such as jeans, shirts or slacks in a new city. A men's shirt costs around $46.89 here. Meanwhile, a pair of women's slacks will set you back around $38.20.
The cost of entertainment and everyday services is based on common expenses in each category. For a movie ticket in Meridian, you should budget around $10.68 a month. When it comes to personal services, a haircut usually goes for $21.50, while dry cleaning costs about $12.36.
The cost of living also takes median household income into account, so you can estimate how much more or less you could be earning in a new city by comparing it to the income in your current area. In Meridian, the median household income is $34,657.