How much does it cost to live in Mississippi?
One of the most important factors to consider is the cost of living in Mississippi, but it isn't the only one. Mississippi has a cheaper cost of living than many other states, as well as a lower population density. According to Bureau of Economic Analysis data, goods and services in the state cost 14.0% less than they do on the national average.
Mississippi has the second-lowest overall cost of living when compared to all other states. Mississippi is home to three metropolitan areas. The most expensive in the state is the Jackson metro area, where the cost of goods and services is 10.8% lower than the national average and 3.2% higher than the statewide average.
Cost of Living Parameters
Housing & Rent
Mississippi boasts some of the most affordable housing in the country. Although salaries are 30 % lower than the national median, mortgage payments are nevertheless quite affordable for individuals with ordinary incomes. Mississippi's average home price is $140,818. According to the National Association of Realtors, this is less than two-thirds of the national average home price of $408,000. The typical renter in Mississippi spends $762 a month on housing, $261 less than the $1,023 national median monthly rent.
And some stats on Mississippi Mortgages:
- Homeownership rate: 71.8%
- Homeowner vacancy rate: 1.2%
- Rental vacancy rate: 9.3%
Childcare
In Mississippi, according to EPI, the average yearly cost of infant care is $5,436—that's $453 per month. A 4-year-child old's care costs $4,784, or $399 per month, approximately 59.8 % of the average rent.
Infant care for one child would consume 11.7 % of a Mississippi typical family's income. According to this metric, only 28.9% of Mississippi families can afford baby care.
Here’s a look at the annual childcare costs from infant to college:
- Infant: $5,436
- 4-year-old: $4,784
- School: $7,069
- College: $7,980
Utilities
Apartment utilities refer to the essential services required in a home such as gas, water, electricity, cable, and internet. A Mississippian residence can expect to spend up to $345 per month on apartment utilities on average.
Food & Groceries
A single adult in Mississippi spends an average of $3,202 on food each year, while a family of four spends $9,248. To put things in perspective, a single adult's annual food expenditure is $3,240, while a family of four annual food cost is $9,354. These figures are based on a nutritionally appropriate diet purchased from a grocery shop.
The average price for eating out would be:
A basic meal with a drink at an inexpensive restaurant $12
Fast Food Combo (Big Mac etc.): $8
Bottle of CocaCola: $2.02
Bottle of Water: $1.29
Grocery shopping in the state would cost as follows:
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g): $3.40
Rice (1 Kg): $3.85
Eggs (regular) (12): $1.68
4 Rolls of toilet paper: $2.96
Hair Shampoo: $4.47
Transportation
Transportation costs can be a considerable part of the overall cost of living. Commuters in Mississippi drive 94.5 %, compared to 85.5 % nationally. The average motorist in the state travels 13,673 miles per year. Taking into account average fuel economy and average gas prices, the average Mississippi motorist can expect to spend $1,062 on gas alone in a year.
Other transportation costs, such as car insurance prices, can differ from one state to the next. According to data from Insure.com, the average vehicle insurance rate in Mississippi is $912, which is lower than the national average of $1,517. According to EPI data, the average single adult in the state spends $10,527 on transportation each year.
The annual transportation fee of a Family is $13.249 which is more expensive than the annual transportation cost in the US.
Average Income & Taxes
The average yearly income of a single adult living in Mississippi is $47,561 and income tax is at 9.8%.
Most Expensive Mississippi Cities to Live in
- Oxford
- Starkville
- Bay St. Louis
- Pass Christian
- Cleveland
Why is disability insurance important to have in Mississippi?
As shown by the above cost of living study, a steady income is required to live comfortably and worry-free. Whether you work full-time or as a freelancer, getting disability insurance is the first step towards financial stability.
What would happen if you found yourself unable to earn a paycheck because you were too ill or injured to work? According to a recent survey conducted by the personal financial website Bankrate, more than half of Americans (51%) have less than three months' worth of emergency funds.
Medical bills are reported to be the number one cause of U.S. bankruptcies. One study has claimed that 62.1% of bankruptcies were caused by medical issues. Other studies show that over 2 million people are adversely affected by their medical expenses.
If medical bills start piling up, you’ll no longer be able to support your lifestyle in other areas as well, especially if your income is on hold. You might find yourself unable to pay for utilities and rent, and that eventually could lead to foreclosure. Half of the foreclosures on conventional mortgages in Mississippi are caused by the disability of one of the homeowners. In fact, there were 132 foreclosures in Mississippi, the 33rd most populous state, out of 1,322,808 dwelling units. As a result, one out of every 10,021 homes is in foreclosure.
A lot of people still think that the need for disability insurance is not top priority, thinking that disability rarely happens, and when it does, it’s only caused by serious accidents. But did you know that up to 90% of disability cases recorded are due to illness, not injury?
With that being said, getting a private disability income insurance should be on top of your to-do list because life is unpredictable but your income shouldn’t be.
Does Mississippi have state disability insurance?
Only 5 states in the U.S. require companies to provide their employees with disability insurance coverage that includes benefits for accidents or illnesses sustained outside of the workplace. Unfortunately, Mississippi isn’t one of those states.
Mississippi residents who are unable to work due to an injury, disease, or mental condition may be eligible for federal disability benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA). If you live in Mississippi and have one or more disabilities that prevent you from working, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) (SSI). However, in Mississippi, you have a smaller chance of approval in a hearing than in several other states.
What qualifies as disability in Mississippi?
If you have disability insurance provided by your employer, make sure to double-check the criteria in the agreement that qualifies you to receive disability benefits when you’re unable to work. Some of these criteria can include the following:
- You are unable to perform the Substantial and Material Duties of your Regular Occupation as shown on the Schedule and;
- You are under the Regular Care of a Physician appropriate for your disabling Sickness or Injury and;
- There is no reasonable simplified worksite modification(s) that would allow you to perform one or more of the Substantial and Material Duties of your regular job.
How can I easily get disability insurance in Mississippi?
Seeking a private disability insurance policy is the easiest option in Mississippi. Here at Asteya, we offer disability insurance (or disability income insurance as we like to call it) that’s simple, fast, and affordable. Our 100% digital process means we don’t tire you out with proof of income, medical exams, phone interviews, or wait times, so you can go from applicant to insured in no time.
Who qualifies for disability insurance in Missippi?
Most insurances are bought to protect homes, vehicles, and health, but our most valuable asset tends to get neglected: our income. 70% of working Americans live paycheck to paycheck, with little savings to buffer the financial burden of a disability that leaves them unable to work.
At Asteya, we offer 2 types of disability income insurance: Permanent Disability Income Insurance and Sickness & Injury Disability Income Insurance. Please visit asteya.world for more details on the eligibility of our product offering.
How much does disability insurance in Mississippi cost?
Protecting your income shouldn’t be a luxury, so here at Asteya, we’ve created affordable and easy solutions that won’t drain what you’re trying to protect (your income!). Our prices start as low as:
- Permanent Disability Income Insurance: starting at $6.05/month
- Long-Term Disability Income Insurance: starting at is $5/month
The bottom line
On average, living in the state of Mississippi will cost you $1727 per month, give or take – that’s a lot of expenses! You've invested a lot of time and hard work in building a life that works for you, and your hard work should not go to waste due to an accident or illness. That’s why you should protect your lifestyle and your income with DI.
If you're still on the fence about whether disability income insurance is for you (hint: it is), here are a few extra points to consider while thinking about it:
Asteya’s policy is a no brainer, seeing that it is 100% digital .We don't require blood tests or doctor's appointments, unlike other insurers. We'll just ask you a few questions to determine your best policy.
You’ll be all set once your policy is in place! You'll pay your premiums quarterly, monthly, or annually for the duration of your policy.
If the unexpected happens and you need to file a claim, our team will be there to assist you in receiving the funds you require as soon as possible. When your claim is approved, you'll receive a payout that you can put toward whatever you need, such as bills, groceries, or medical expenditures.