Cleveland, MS vs Starkville, MS

Cleveland is moderately more affordable than Starkville, with a 11.2% lower cost of living index. Cleveland scores 71 compared to 80 for Starkville, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Starkville can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Cleveland is $860/month compared to $875/month in Starkville — a 2% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Cleveland is more affordable at $162,300 median vs $265,900.

Median household income in Cleveland is $43,519 compared to $39,751 in Starkville (+9.5%). Cleveland offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Cleveland spend roughly 23.7% of their income on rent, less than the 26.4% in Starkville.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (64°F vs 63.6°F). Starkville receives more rainfall at 57.7" per year compared to 49" in Cleveland.