Itta Bena, MS vs Waynesboro, MS

Itta Bena is moderately more affordable than Waynesboro, with a 10.6% lower cost of living index. Itta Bena scores 56 compared to 63 for Waynesboro, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Waynesboro can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Itta Bena is $548/month compared to $810/month in Waynesboro — a 32% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Itta Bena has cheaper rent, Waynesboro actually has lower median home values ($84,400 vs $100,200).

Median household income in Itta Bena is $32,898 compared to $30,910 in Waynesboro (+6.4%). Itta Bena offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Itta Bena spend roughly 20% of their income on rent, less than the 31.4% in Waynesboro. The Itta Bena ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (64°F vs 66.5°F). Waynesboro receives more rainfall at 58.9" per year compared to 51.8" in Itta Bena.