A+
10%
Overall NAT. AVG.
3%
Groceries NAT. AVG.
20%
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 Pearl Mississippi National
Cost of living9086100
Groceries9797100
Health care9195100
Housing8063100
Transportation9294100
Utilities9698100
Lifestyle & Entertainment9094100
Household Items9696100
Education & Childcare9794100
Does this Area Fit Your Budget? Local Insights Report
  • Know the community before you call it home
  • Compare multiple areas side by side
  • Access over 300 data points for any address
Local Insights Report

An Overview of Cost of Living in Pearl, MS

Knowing the cost of living in Pearl 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 Pearl stands at 90, marking it 10% lower than the national average.

Is Pearl Affordable?

Is Pearl 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 Pearl, the median home price is 28% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 1.1% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Pearl come in at $73,932, which is 9.1% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Pearl?

Taxes: Regions that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an increased cost of living. Higher taxes for everyday necessities such as clothing, utilities and food inevitably leads to higher expenditures. Additionally, a higher income tax rate can also play a role in elevating the overall cost of living. In Pearl, the prevailing sales tax rate starts at 7%, and income tax rates kick off at 5%.

Subsidies: Certain cities or states may implement government subsidies or assistance programs with the goal of alleviating the cost of living pressures on their residents. These programs encompass a broad spectrum 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 farming subsidies. Areas offering fewer subsidies may experience a rise in their cost of living.

Groceries: Grocery costs have continued to increase significantly over the last 2-3 years. In some markets the cost of food has gone up by more than 20% in that period. While other markets have managed to see only a moderate uptick. These food costs can have a major impact on the cost of living in any area. In Pearl, the groceries index is 3% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Pearl 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 Pearl is 5% higher than the Mississippi average
  • The cost of living in Pearl is 10% lower than the national average
  • Pearl housing is 20% 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 Pearl

See all the best places to live around Pearl

Compare Pearl, MS Cost of Living

City Image
    City Default Image
      vs
      How would you rate the cost of living in Pearl?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      Is the cost of living increasing or decreasing in Pearl?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      See all Pearl poll results

      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index
      Lifestyle index
      Household index
      Educare index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$93,839$7,820$2,189$2,815
      Renters$60,726$5,061$1,417$1,822
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Pearl 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. Pearl has a median income of about $93,839 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $2,189 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $60,726. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $1,417 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.
      Robinhood, MS1,3468019.8%
      Jackson, MS168,1278515.5%
      Cleary, MS1,9038614.5%
      Richland, MS7,4108812.0%
      Terry, MS2,1428911.0%
      Pearl, MS27,3529010.1%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Garden City, KS27,354936.6%
      Bayonet Point, FL27,360937.2%
      Xenia, OH27,3738613.9%
      Paramus, NJ27,33017372.8%
      Cabot, AR27,309946.1%
      Pearl, MS27,3529010.1%
      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.