Mississippi
86.2
composite · rank #3
- Housing
- 71
- Grocery
- 93.2
- Utilities
- 94.4
Compare different states
Q1 2026
Q1 2026Mississippi vs Alabama Cost of Living
Alabama has the lower cost of living by 1.2 index points. Compare category indexes and equivalent salaries in both directions.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
Lower cost of living
Alabama is lower
1.2 index points lower. A $100,000 lifestyle in Mississippi is roughly $98,608 in Alabama.
Side-by-side cost of living scoreboard
Alabama
85
composite · rank #2
- Housing
- 67.7
- Grocery
- 95
- Utilities
- 96.9
Category-by-category comparison
| Category | Mississippi | Alabama | Lower cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grocery | 93.2 | 95 | Mississippi |
| Housing | 71 | 67.7 | Alabama |
| Utilities | 94.4 | 96.9 | Mississippi |
| Transportation | 89.8 | 88.8 | Alabama |
| Health care | 85.1 | 85.6 | Mississippi |
| Misc. goods & services | 93.7 | 91.8 | Alabama |
Grocery
Mississippi93.2
Alabama95
Lower cost: Mississippi
Housing
Mississippi71
Alabama67.7
Lower cost: Alabama
Utilities
Mississippi94.4
Alabama96.9
Lower cost: Mississippi
Transportation
Mississippi89.8
Alabama88.8
Lower cost: Alabama
Health care
Mississippi85.1
Alabama85.6
Lower cost: Mississippi
Misc. goods & services
Mississippi93.7
Alabama91.8
Lower cost: Alabama
Equivalent salary examples
Salary needed in the destination state to match purchasing power in the origin state.
| Origin salary | Needed in Alabama | Needed in Mississippi |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $49,304 | $50,706 |
| $75,000 | $73,956 | $76,059 |
| $100,000 | $98,608 | $101,412 |
| $150,000 | $147,912 | $152,118 |
| $250,000 | $246,520 | $253,529 |
$50,000 origin salary
In Alabama$49,304
In Mississippi$50,706
$75,000 origin salary
In Alabama$73,956
In Mississippi$76,059
$100,000 origin salary
In Alabama$98,608
In Mississippi$101,412
$150,000 origin salary
In Alabama$147,912
In Mississippi$152,118
Housing gap
Mississippi housing is 71; Alabama is 67.7.
Salary planning
$100,000 in Mississippi is roughly $98,608 in Alabama.
Statewide averages
Indexes average participating urban areas. Local rents and wages can differ sharply inside either state.
Mississippi vs Alabama cost of living FAQs
Alabama has the lower cost of living by 1.2 index points. The composite indexes are 86.2 in Mississippi and 85 in Alabama (US average = 100).
About $98,608 in Alabama would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in Mississippi, based on the composite indexes.
About $101,412 in Mississippi would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in Alabama.
Housing indexes are 71 in Mississippi and 67.7 in Alabama. Housing is often the largest driver, but groceries, utilities, transportation, health care, and other goods also matter.
No. These are statewide averages of participating urban areas. Your city, neighborhood, housing choice, family size, and spending mix can produce a very different personal cost of living.
Alabama has the lower average index, but wages, taxes, insurance, schools, and job opportunities should also be compared.
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Composite index, category costs, and equivalent-salary examples.
Data period Q1 2026. Statewide urban-area averages; not personal budget calculations.