Mississippi
86.2
composite · rank #3
- Housing
- 71
- Grocery
- 93.2
- Utilities
- 94.4
Compare different states
Q1 2026
Q1 2026Mississippi vs West Virginia Cost of Living
Mississippi has the lower cost of living by 1.7 index points. Compare category indexes and equivalent salaries in both directions.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
Lower cost of living
Mississippi is lower
1.7 index points lower. A $100,000 lifestyle in West Virginia is roughly $98,066 in Mississippi.
Side-by-side cost of living scoreboard
West Virginia
87.9
composite · rank #5
- Housing
- 71.3
- Grocery
- 96.2
- Utilities
- 90.4
Category-by-category comparison
| Category | Mississippi | West Virginia | Lower cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grocery | 93.2 | 96.2 | Mississippi |
| Housing | 71 | 71.3 | Mississippi |
| Utilities | 94.4 | 90.4 | West Virginia |
| Transportation | 89.8 | 99.5 | Mississippi |
| Health care | 85.1 | 89.5 | Mississippi |
| Misc. goods & services | 93.7 | 94.9 | Mississippi |
Grocery
Mississippi93.2
West Virginia96.2
Lower cost: Mississippi
Housing
Mississippi71
West Virginia71.3
Lower cost: Mississippi
Utilities
Mississippi94.4
West Virginia90.4
Lower cost: West Virginia
Transportation
Mississippi89.8
West Virginia99.5
Lower cost: Mississippi
Health care
Mississippi85.1
West Virginia89.5
Lower cost: Mississippi
Misc. goods & services
Mississippi93.7
West Virginia94.9
Lower cost: Mississippi
Equivalent salary examples
Salary needed in the destination state to match purchasing power in the origin state.
| Origin salary | Needed in West Virginia | Needed in Mississippi |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $50,986 | $49,033 |
| $75,000 | $76,479 | $73,549 |
| $100,000 | $101,972 | $98,066 |
| $150,000 | $152,958 | $147,099 |
| $250,000 | $254,930 | $245,165 |
$50,000 origin salary
In West Virginia$50,986
In Mississippi$49,033
$75,000 origin salary
In West Virginia$76,479
In Mississippi$73,549
$100,000 origin salary
In West Virginia$101,972
In Mississippi$98,066
$150,000 origin salary
In West Virginia$152,958
In Mississippi$147,099
Housing gap
Mississippi housing is 71; West Virginia is 71.3.
Salary planning
$100,000 in Mississippi is roughly $101,972 in West Virginia.
Statewide averages
Indexes average participating urban areas. Local rents and wages can differ sharply inside either state.
Mississippi vs West Virginia cost of living FAQs
Mississippi has the lower cost of living by 1.7 index points. The composite indexes are 86.2 in Mississippi and 87.9 in West Virginia (US average = 100).
About $101,972 in West Virginia would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in Mississippi, based on the composite indexes.
About $98,066 in Mississippi would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in West Virginia.
Housing indexes are 71 in Mississippi and 71.3 in West Virginia. 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.
Mississippi has the lower average index, but wages, taxes, insurance, schools, and job opportunities should also be compared.
Related tools
Relocation salary calculatorCity COL + equivalent salaryUS paycheck calculatorFederal, state, and FICA take-homeSalary comparison by stateTake-home ladders by stateSales tax by stateCombined state + average local ratesProperty tax by stateEffective rates and homeowner estimatesHomeownership cost by stateACS owner costs and buyer estimatesTotal tax burden by stateIncome, sales, and property togetherState paycheck tax compareSide-by-side state income tax
Compare another pair
Compare any two states
Composite index, category costs, and equivalent-salary examples.
Data period Q1 2026. Statewide urban-area averages; not personal budget calculations.