Bay St. Louis, MS vs Macon, MS

The cost of living difference between Bay St. Louis, MS and Macon, MS is dramatic. Macon is 45% cheaper than Bay St. Louis, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Bay St. Louis has a cost index of 85 while Macon sits at 58, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Bay St. Louis is $1,138/month compared to $620/month in Macon — a 84% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Macon is more affordable at $98,200 median vs $231,900.

Median household income in Bay St. Louis is $70,082 compared to $29,167 in Macon (+140.3%). While Bay St. Louis is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Bay St. Louis spend roughly 19.5% of their income on rent, less than the 25.5% in Macon.

Climate-wise, Bay St. Louis is notably warmer with an average of 68.3°F compared to 64°F in Macon. Bay St. Louis receives more rainfall at 62.8" per year compared to 60" in Macon.