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City Report · MS

Tupelo

Pop. 37,791·25th most expensive in Mississippi·Tupelo rents are up 18.6% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,381/mo
Year-over-Year
+18.6%
Month-over-Month
+0.8%
vs US Median
-$584
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Tupelo · $1,381
More affordable than 83% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
27/100
Overpriced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 12% above what Tupelo's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent
$1,381/mo
Expected by trend
$1,236/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Tupelo's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$905
1 BR
$910
2 BR
$1,075
3 BR
$1,355
4 BR+
$1,430
Research median
$1,075/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
$16,572/yr
At $1,381/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 18.6% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+18.6% YoY, +0.8% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Tupelo, MS is majority owner-occupied, 34.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
37,791
Median income
$66,257
Median age
38.3
Renters
36.6%
Age distribution
23.8%
21.7%
25.2%
12.3%
17%
Under 1823.8%
18–3421.7%
35–5425.2%
55–6412.3%
65+17%
Gender
47%
53%
Male47%
Female53%
Race & ethnicity
52.7%
37.9%
White52.7%
Black37.9%
Hispanic4.7%
Asian1.7%
Other3%
Education (25+)
24.8%
30.2%
34.5%
No HS diploma10.6%
HS diploma24.8%
Some college30.2%
Bachelor's+34.5%
Housing tenure
63.4%
36.6%
Owner63.4%
Renter36.6%

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

2023 vs 2026

How Tupelo, MS has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,074 → $1,381
up 28.6%
Income
$58,887 → $66,257
up 12.5%
Population
37,872 → 37,791
down 0.2%
Renter share
39.1% → 36.6%
-2.5 pts
Bachelor's+
35.6% → 34.5%
-1.1 pts
Median age
37.7 → 38.3
+0.6 yrs

The median rent in Tupelo, MS stood at $1,074 in 2023 and currently runs about $1,381, reflecting a 28.6% 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.

Community

Discussions about Tupelo

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

Can you afford rent in Tupelo on your salary?

At $1,381/mo, how Tupelo rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Tupelo rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Tupelo

About renting in Tupelo, MS

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Tupelo is $1,381/mo as of July 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 25% of local median household income ($66,257/yr), Tupelo ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 18.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Tupelo an affordable city for renters?

Tupelo is considered affordable for renters. At $1,381/mo, rent takes approximately 25% of the local median household income ($66,257/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Tupelo falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Tupelo?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $55,000/year (~$26/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,381/mo in Tupelo. The local median household income is $66,257/yr, meaning the typical Tupelo household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Tupelo?

Rent in Tupelo has increased 18.6% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Tupelo neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Tupelo are 38804 ($1,216/mo), and 38801 ($1,333/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Tupelo is $1,381/mo.

How does Tupelo rent compare to other cities in Mississippi?

Tupelo is one of the more affordable cities in Mississippi for rent, ranking #25 out of 28 tracked cities at $1,381/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Tupelo?

Florence is nearby and more affordable at $1,228/mo, which is $153 less than Tupelo.

What percentage of Tupelo residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 36.6% of Tupelo households are renters, while 63.4% are owner-occupied. Tupelo leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Tupelo rent compare to the national average?

Tupelo's median rent of $1,381/mo is $584 (30%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Mississippi, it ranks #25 out of 28 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
25%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,381/mo, rent takes ~25% of Tupelo's median household income ($66,257/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Tupelo 25%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.7%
Run the Tupelo affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Tupelo
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Tupelo, MS

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