Decatur, MS vs Ripley, MS

Decatur, MS and Ripley, MS have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.9% difference in their overall index. Decatur scores 67 while Ripley scores 64 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 Decatur is $826/month compared to $683/month in Ripley — a 21% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Ripley has cheaper rent, Decatur actually has lower median home values ($125,800 vs $132,500).

Median household income in Decatur is $47,258 compared to $56,641 in Ripley (-16.6%). Ripley offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Decatur spend roughly 21% of their income on rent, more than the 14.5% in Ripley.

Climate-wise, Decatur is notably warmer with an average of 63.2°F compared to 59.6°F in Ripley. Decatur receives more rainfall at 58.2" per year compared to 55.5" in Ripley.