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City Report · MS

Starkville

Pop. 25,721·8th most expensive in Mississippi·Starkville rents are up 5.9% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,571/mo
Year-over-Year
+5.9%
Month-over-Month
-4.0%
vs US Median
-$394
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Starkville · $1,571
More affordable than 71% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
45% of income
STRETCHED
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,571/mo, rent takes about 45% of the local median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$63,000/yr
Local median income
$42,125/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Starkville's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$820
1 BR
$970
2 BR
$1,070
3 BR
$1,410
4 BR+
$1,420
Research median
$1,070/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$18,852/yr
At $1,571/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are softening (up only 5.9% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.
Based on rent-price momentum (+5.9% YoY, -4.0% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Starkville, MS is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 50.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
25,721
Median income
$42,125
Median age
26
Renters
66.1%
Age distribution
18%
44.1%
18.6%
Under 1818%
18–3444.1%
35–5418.6%
55–648.1%
65+11.3%
Gender
49.4%
50.6%
Male49.4%
Female50.6%
Race & ethnicity
53.7%
36.2%
White53.7%
Black36.2%
Hispanic3.8%
Asian4.6%
Other1.7%
Education (25+)
20.8%
21.3%
50.5%
No HS diploma7.4%
HS diploma20.8%
Some college21.3%
Bachelor's+50.5%
Housing tenure
33.9%
66.1%
Owner33.9%
Renter66.1%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Starkville, MS has changed in 5 years

Income
$34,391 → $42,125
up 22.5%
Population
24,578 → 25,721
up 4.7%
Renter share
58.1% → 66.1%
+8.0 pts
Bachelor's+
47.2% → 50.5%
+3.3 pts
Median age
27 → 26
-1.0 yrs

Census figures show median household income at $42,125 today, compared with $34,391 five years earlier. The population has grown by 4.7% since 2021, moving from about 24,578 residents to roughly 25,721. Renters now make up 66.1% of households, compared with 58.1% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 50.5% of adults here, versus 47.2% in 2021.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Starkville on your salary?

At $1,571/mo, how Starkville rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Starkville rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Starkville

About renting in Starkville, MS

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Starkville is $1,571/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $820/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,070/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $970/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,410/mo.

At 45% of local median household income ($42,125/yr), Starkville ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Starkville an affordable city for renters?

Starkville is considered stretched for renters. At $1,571/mo, rent takes approximately 45% of the local median household income ($42,125/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Starkville significantly exceeds that threshold, making it challenging for many renters.

How much income do you need to rent in Starkville?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $63,000/year (~$30/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,571/mo in Starkville. The local median household income is $42,125/yr, meaning the typical Starkville household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Starkville?

Rent in Starkville has increased 5.9% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Starkville rent compare to other cities in Mississippi?

Starkville is one of the pricier cities in Mississippi for rent, ranking #8 out of 28 tracked cities at $1,571/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Starkville?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Starkville ($1,571/mo): Tupelo ($1,381/mo), Columbus ($1,388/mo), Meridian ($1,423/mo).

What percentage of Starkville residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 66.1% of Starkville households are renters, while 33.9% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Starkville has a strong rental market.

How does Starkville rent compare to the national average?

Starkville's median rent of $1,571/mo is $394 (20%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Mississippi, it ranks #8 out of 28 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
45%
STRETCHED

At $1,571/mo, rent takes ~45% of Starkville's median household income ($42,125/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Starkville 45%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.7%
Run the Starkville affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Starkville, MS

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