Bay St. Louis, MS vs New Hope, MS

New Hope is moderately more affordable than Bay St. Louis, with a 7% lower cost of living index. Bay St. Louis scores 85 compared to 79 for New Hope, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Bay St. Louis can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Bay St. Louis is $1,138/month compared to $963/month in New Hope — a 18% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: New Hope is more affordable at $223,900 median vs $231,900.

Median household income in Bay St. Louis is $70,082 compared to $79,250 in New Hope (-11.6%). New Hope offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Bay St. Louis spend roughly 19.5% of their income on rent, more than the 14.6% in New Hope.

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