Brookhaven, MS vs Waynesboro, MS

Brookhaven, MS and Waynesboro, MS have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0% difference in their overall index. Brookhaven scores 63 while Waynesboro scores 63 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 $810/month in Waynesboro — a 9% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Brookhaven has cheaper rent, Waynesboro actually has lower median home values ($84,400 vs $111,500).

Median household income in Brookhaven is $36,269 compared to $30,910 in Waynesboro (+17.3%). 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 31.4% in Waynesboro. The Brookhaven ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (66.2°F vs 66.5°F). Brookhaven receives more rainfall at 60.6" per year compared to 58.9" in Waynesboro.