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Meridian, MS

Cost of living in Clarke County, MS

Estimated monthly cost
$2,716/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 15,424 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $870 32%
Healthcare $480 18%
Federal tax $362 13%
Transport $320 12%
Groceries $298 11%
Energy $197 7%
State tax $134 5%
Water $55 2%

Rent in Clarke County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$833
per month
1 bedroom
$870
per month
2 bedroom
$963
per month
3 bedroom
$1,160
per month
4 bedroom
$1,277
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Clarke County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$46,054
per year
Individual earnings
$32,210
per year
Per capita
$26,974
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Clarke County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$114,300
Annual property tax
$570

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Clarke County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$158
per month · 13.7¢/kWh
Natural gas
$39
per month
Annual total
$2,364
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Clarke County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
12.7%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Clarke County

State and local tax rates for Mississippi.

State income tax
5.0%
Flat rate
State sales tax
7.0%
Combined sales tax
7.1%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Clarke County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
31.8 min
Drive alone
83.9%
Public transit
0.2%
Work from home
3.0%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Clarke County

What it costs to live in Clarke County each month.

Single person
$2,716
per month
  • Rent $870
  • Energy $197
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $298
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $362
  • State tax $134
Couple
$3,668
per month
  • Rent $963
  • Energy $236
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $494
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $434
  • State tax $192
Family
$5,976
per month
  • Rent $1,160
  • Energy $296
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $749
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $434
  • State tax $192

Frequently asked questions about Clarke County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Clarke County?

In Clarke County, MS, a one-bedroom apartment averages $870 per month, a two-bedroom averages $963 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,160 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Clarke County?

In Clarke County, MS, the average household income is $46,054 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $32,210 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Clarke County?

The estimated cost of living in Clarke County, MS is approximately $2,716 per month for a single person, $3,668 for a couple, $5,976 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Clarke County?

The combined sales tax rate in Clarke County, MS is 7.07%, which includes the Mississippi state rate of 7.00% plus an average local rate of 0.07%.

Is Clarke County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Clarke County, MS would need approximately $2,716 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $46,054 per year ($3,838 per month). Clarke County has a high cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Clarke County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Clarke County, MS is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 12.7% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Clarke County?

The average home value in Clarke County, MS is $114,300, with average annual property taxes of $570, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Clarke County compare to other areas?

You can compare Clarke County, MS with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Clarke County is in the Meridian, MS metro area.

Other counties in Mississippi

Browse the full list of counties in Mississippi, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Mississippi

Compare Clarke County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources