A+
4%
Overall NAT. AVG.
3%
Groceries NAT. AVG.
3%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living score is 90, then the estimated cost of living is 10% lower than the national average. If the score is 110, then the estimated cost of living is 10% higher than average. The overall index is calculated using weighted estimates across major everyday expense categories, including housing (30%), groceries (16%), transportation (12%), healthcare (10%), utilities (8%), lifestyle and entertainment (8%), household expenses (8%), and education and childcare (8%). All values are AI-assisted city-level estimates designed for directional comparisons.
Index Ocean Springs Mississippi National
Cost of living9686100
Groceries9797100
Health care9795100
Housing9763100
Transportation9694100
Utilities9798100
Lifestyle & Entertainment9694100
Household Items9496100
Education & Childcare9594100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Ocean Springs, MS

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Ocean Springs? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Ocean Springs stands at 96, making it 4% lower than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.

Everyday expenditures like food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care in Ocean Springs are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Ocean Springs can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.

Is Ocean Springs Affordable?

Is Ocean Springs an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Ocean Springs, the median home price is 5.9% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 3.8% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Ocean Springs come in at $90,950, which is 11.8% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Ocean Springs?

Healthcare: Healthcare expenses and insurance premiums can vary significantly depending on the specific city or state. Factors such as accessibility to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's visits, dental care expenses, prescription costs and specialized medical care fees can all influence the overall cost of living. In Ocean Springs, healthcare costs are 3% lower than the national average.

Subsidies: Certain cities or states may institute government subsidies or assistance programs designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with the cost of living for their residents. These programs encompass a variety of support mechanisms, including 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 farm subsidies. Areas that provide fewer subsidies may see an uptick in their overall cost of living.

Urbanization: Larger, urban areas boasting abundant amenities and robust employment prospects often exhibit a heightened cost of living, driven by the increased demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural locales or regions marked by diminished demand typically offer a more limited range of amenities and experience slower job market expansion. This translates into a more affordable cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The Ocean Springs cost of living estimates above use a normalized U.S. average of 100 as the baseline for comparison. Housing values incorporate local home price and rental information from the U.S. Census, while all other estimates are AI-assisted and modeled using expected everyday expenses, local market trends, climate, and transportation-related cost pressures. The results are intended for practical city-to-city comparisons.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Ocean Springs is 13% higher than the Mississippi average
  • The cost of living in Ocean Springs is 4% lower than the national average
  • Ocean Springs housing is 3% lower than the national average
  • Mississippi general sales tax is 37% higher than the national average
  • Mississippi state income tax is 93% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Ocean Springs

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Compare Ocean Springs, MS Cost of Living

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      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$122,507$10,209$2,858$3,676
      Renters$53,720$4,477$1,253$1,612
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Ocean Springs is by simply calculating the maximum that should be spent on housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The plan is to avoid spending more than 28 percent of the gross income on costs that pertain to housing and no more than 36 percent on all expenses and debts. Ocean Springs has a median income of about $122,507 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $2,858 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $53,720. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $1,253 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      Mississippi Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Mississippi 7% 7.25%

      Mississippi Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Mississippi 5% 5%

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      St. Martin, MS8,380909.8%
      Gautier, MS19,005927.6%
      Latimer, MS6,351927.6%
      Gulf Hills, MS9,087946.2%
      Biloxi, MS47,008955.2%
      Ocean Springs, MS18,287963.6%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Dumont, NJ18,29313333.4%
      Palestine, TX18,296909.9%
      Santa Fe Springs, CA18,26715150.8%
      Alton, TX18,2618614.5%
      Tallmadge, OH18,313954.6%
      Ocean Springs, MS18,287963.6%
      Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.