Starkville, MS vs Tupelo, MS

Starkville, MS and Tupelo, MS have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.3% difference in their overall index. Starkville scores 80 while Tupelo scores 77 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 Starkville is $875/month compared to $940/month in Tupelo — a 7% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Starkville has cheaper rent, Tupelo actually has lower median home values ($201,300 vs $265,900).

Median household income in Starkville is $39,751 compared to $66,314 in Tupelo (-40.1%). Tupelo offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Starkville spend roughly 26.4% of their income on rent, more than the 17% in Tupelo.

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