Rents are right about where Tupelo's 10-year trend predicts.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,423 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 →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Tupelo is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in February 2023.
Rent in Tupelo changed +4.9% over the year to September 2026. Across the 23 Mississippi cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.8%.
Rent has risen 2 months in a row, and rose in 7 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($66,257) is $1,656 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($1,430).
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Tupelo. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Tupelo, MS is majority owner-occupied, 34.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Tupelo, MS has changed in 5 years
The median rent in Tupelo, MS stood at $1,169 in 2023 and currently runs about $1,423, reflecting a 21.7% increase over the period. Household income in the area moved from $58,887 to $66,257 across the same window, up 12.5% versus 2021. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. Renters now make up 36.6% of households, compared with 39.1% five years ago. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Tupelo, MS look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.
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Can you afford rent in Tupelo on your salary?
At $1,423/mo, how Tupelo rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Tupelo rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Tupelo. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Tupelo
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Tupelo is $1,423/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $905/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,075/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $910/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,355/mo.
At 26% of local median household income ($66,257/yr), Tupelo ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 4.9% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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Is rent going up or down in Tupelo?
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How does Tupelo rent compare to other cities in Mississippi?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Tupelo?
At $1,423/mo, rent takes ~26% of Tupelo's median household income ($66,257/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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