Diamondhead, MS vs Starkville, MS

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Starkville is 22.9% cheaper than Diamondhead. With a cost index of 80 vs 98, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Starkville to Diamondhead should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Diamondhead is $1,571/month compared to $875/month in Starkville — a 80% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Starkville has cheaper rent, Diamondhead actually has lower median home values ($236,700 vs $265,900).

Median household income in Diamondhead is $86,208 compared to $39,751 in Starkville (+116.9%). While Diamondhead is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Diamondhead spend roughly 21.9% of their income on rent, less than the 26.4% in Starkville.

Climate-wise, Diamondhead is notably warmer with an average of 68.3°F compared to 63.6°F in Starkville. Diamondhead receives more rainfall at 62.8" per year compared to 57.7" in Starkville.