Brookhaven, MS vs Meridian, MS

Brookhaven, MS and Meridian, MS have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.6% difference in their overall index. Brookhaven scores 63 while Meridian scores 66 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Brookhaven is $736/month compared to $865/month in Meridian — a 15% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Brookhaven has cheaper rent, Meridian actually has lower median home values ($100,800 vs $111,500).

Median household income in Brookhaven is $36,269 compared to $34,657 in Meridian (+4.7%). Brookhaven offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Brookhaven spend roughly 24.4% of their income on rent, less than the 30% in Meridian.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (66.2°F vs 65.9°F). Brookhaven receives more rainfall at 60.6" per year compared to 57" in Meridian.