Laurel, MS vs Tupelo, MS

Laurel is moderately more affordable than Tupelo, with a 13.8% lower cost of living index. Laurel scores 66 compared to 77 for Tupelo, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Tupelo can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Laurel is $839/month compared to $940/month in Tupelo — a 11% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Laurel is more affordable at $110,200 median vs $201,300.

Median household income in Laurel is $37,781 compared to $66,314 in Tupelo (-43%). While Tupelo is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Laurel spend roughly 26.6% of their income on rent, more than the 17% in Tupelo.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (66.5°F vs 63.6°F). Laurel receives more rainfall at 58.9" per year compared to 57.7" in Tupelo.