Brookhaven, MS vs Starkville, MS
There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Brookhaven is 21.1% cheaper than Starkville. With a cost index of 63 vs 80, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Brookhaven to Starkville should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.
On the housing front, median rent in Brookhaven is $736/month compared to $875/month in Starkville — a 16% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Brookhaven is more affordable at $111,500 median vs $265,900.
Median household income in Brookhaven is $36,269 compared to $39,751 in Starkville (-8.8%). Starkville does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Brookhaven spend roughly 24.4% of their income on rent, less than the 26.4% in Starkville.
Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (66.2°F vs 63.6°F). Brookhaven receives more rainfall at 60.6" per year compared to 57.7" in Starkville.
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Climate
NOAA 30-year normals (1991-2020)