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City Report · MS

Meridian

Pop. 34,137·25th most expensive in Mississippi·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,279/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-10.1%
vs US Median
-$683
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Meridian · $1,279
More affordable than 89% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
42% of income
STRETCHED
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,279/mo, rent takes about 42% of the local median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$51,000/yr
Local median income
$36,562/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Meridian's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

1 BR
$621
2 BR
$940
3 BR
$1,041
4 BR+
$931
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$940/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,279 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$15,348/yr
At $1,279/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 0.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -10.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Meridian, MS is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income below the national average, 21.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
34,137
Median income
$36,562
Median age
39.4
Renters
51.3%
Age distribution
23.8%
21.9%
23.3%
12.9%
18.2%
Under 1823.8%
18–3421.9%
35–5423.3%
55–6412.9%
65+18.2%
Gender
46.7%
53.3%
Male46.7%
Female53.3%
Race & ethnicity
30.9%
59.7%
White30.9%
Black59.7%
Hispanic2.3%
Asian1.2%
Other5.9%
Education (25+)
14.9%
31.4%
31.9%
21.8%
No HS diploma14.9%
HS diploma31.4%
Some college31.9%
Bachelor's+21.8%
Housing tenure
48.7%
51.3%
Owner48.7%
Renter51.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Meridian, MS has changed in 5 years

Income
$31,198 → $36,562
up 17.2%
Population
35,625 → 34,137
down 4.2%
Renter share
54.6% → 51.3%
-3.3 pts
Bachelor's+
21.3% → 21.8%
+0.5 pts
Median age
37.7 → 39.4
+1.7 yrs

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $31,198 in 2021 to $36,562 more recently. The population has contracted by 4.2% since 2021, moving from about 35,625 residents to roughly 34,137. Renters now make up 51.3% of households, compared with 54.6% five years ago.

Community

Discussions about Meridian

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View Meridian rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Meridian on your salary?

At $1,279/mo, how Meridian rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Meridian rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Meridian. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Meridian

About renting in Meridian, MS

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Meridian is $1,279/mo as of August 2026. a 2-bedroom runs $940/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $621/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,041/mo.

At 42% of local median household income ($36,562/yr), Meridian ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Meridian an affordable city for renters?

Meridian is considered stretched for renters. At $1,279/mo, rent takes approximately 42% of the local median household income ($36,562/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Meridian significantly exceeds that threshold, making it challenging for many renters.

How much income do you need to rent in Meridian?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $51,000/year (~$25/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,279/mo in Meridian. The local median household income is $36,562/yr, meaning the typical Meridian household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Meridian?

Rent in Meridian has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of August 2026.

How does Meridian rent compare to other cities in Mississippi?

Meridian is one of the more affordable cities in Mississippi for rent, ranking #25 out of 29 tracked cities at $1,279/mo.

What percentage of Meridian residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 51.3% of Meridian households are renters, while 48.7% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Meridian has a strong rental market.

How does Meridian rent compare to the national average?

Meridian's median rent of $1,279/mo is $683 (35%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Mississippi, it ranks #25 out of 29 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
42%
STRETCHED

At $1,279/mo, rent takes ~42% of Meridian's median household income ($36,562/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Meridian 42%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.7%
Run the Meridian affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Meridian, MS

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