| Index | Brookhaven | Mississippi | National |
| Cost of living | 83 | 86 | 100 |
| Groceries | 97 | 97 | 100 |
| Health care | 91 | 95 | 100 |
| Housing | 59 | 63 | 100 |
| Transportation | 92 | 94 | 100 |
| Utilities | 96 | 98 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 90 | 94 | 100 |
| Household Items | 96 | 96 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 97 | 94 | 100 |

Knowing the cost of living in Brookhaven allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Brookhaven stands at 83, marking it 17% lower than the national average.
Housing expenses can absorb a substantial portion of your net income, sometimes exceeding 30%. Thankfully, Brookhaven stands out by reporting housing costs that are 41.4% lower than the national average. This signifies that both homeownership and rental expenses in this region are considerably more budget-friendly compared to the rest of the country. With such favorable housing affordability, residents of Brookhaven can allocate a more reasonable portion of their income to housing, allowing for greater financial flexibility.
Wondering if Brookhaven is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Brookhaven, for example, the median home price is 48.5% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 24.9% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Brookhaven boasting a median household income of $46,261, which is 43.1% lower than the national average.
Urbanization: Urban areas with a wealth of amenities and employment opportunities tend to come with a higher price tag for living. Why? Well, more people want to be there, which drives up home prices and rents. On the flip side, less densely populated rural areas or places where there's not as much demand usually mean fewer attractions, things to do and slower job growth. That often results in a lower cost of living.
Subsidies: Some areas might offer government subsidies or assistance programs that help lower cost of living for residents. These programs can include anything from Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and crop subsidies. Areas that offer less subsidies, could see an increase in their cost of living.
Utilities: Much like any other costs, utility expenses can exhibit considerable variations, influenced by factors such as climate, available energy sources, geographic location and state regulations. The costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can vary significantly depending on the city or state in question. In Brookhaven, the utilities index stands at 4.5% lower than the national average.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Brookhaven are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $62,411 | $5,201 | $1,456 | $1,873 |
| Renters | $29,936 | $2,495 | $698 | $898 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Mississippi | 7% | 7.25% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Mississippi | 5% | 5% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Beauregard, MS | 502 | 84 | 16.3% |
| Wesson, MS | 2,280 | 91 | 9.4% |
| Brookhaven, MS | 12,524 | 83 | 16.5% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Tucson Estates, AZ | 12,524 | 98 | 2.1% |
| Abbeville, LA | 12,525 | 85 | 14.5% |
| Kincardine, ON | 12,522 | n/a | |
| Orange City, FL | 12,521 | 100 | 0.3% |
| Fortuna, CA | 12,532 | 124 | 23.5% |
| Brookhaven, MS | 12,524 | 83 | 16.5% |