Independent Living in Mississippi

With its warm tropical climate and low cost of living, Mississippi is an appealing place to retire. In fact, Mississippi has one of the lowest costs of living in the country and also boasts low taxes. Of the state’s 2.9 million people, 16.4% are over the age of 65. Many interesting things to do are found along Mississippi’s vast coastline, and seniors can spend their retirement lounging by the beach along the Gulf Islands National Seashore or seeing the animals at the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies.

For seniors who don’t need daily living help, independent living is a good senior living choice. It provides the benefits of community activities, low-maintenance housing and occasional wellness checks without the oversight of assisted living. In Mississippi, independent living is an affordable option, with an average monthly cost of just $2,414, according to data in the 2020 Genworth Cost of Care Survey.

This guide explores the costs of independent living and resources Mississippi seniors can tap to make their retirement as independent and carefree as possible.

Note: Even though there isn’t a definitive report on how much Independent Living costs in each state, it’s usually 30-40% less expensive than Assisted Living. So we reduced the Assisted Living costs reported in Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey by 35% to calculate the Independent Living costs in this guide.

Mississippi’s average monthly Independent Living cost is just $2,275, which is $650 less than the national average of $2,925. The Magnolia State’s average is lower than all four bordering states, ranging from $2 in Alabama, which averages $2,277 per month, to $393 in Tennessee, which is $2,668 per month. Louisiana and Arkansas share similar costs, averaging $2,436 and $2,444 per month, respectively.

In Mississippi, Independent Living is more expensive in cities than in rural areas. Cities charge between $195 and $553 more than the state average, such as Gulfport, where Independent Living costs $2,470 per month, or Jackson, where it costs $2,828. Independent Living costs in Hattiesburg and Baton Rouge, LA, both average $2,681 per month. Florence, AL, and Memphis, TN, also share similar averages of $2,698 and $2,730, respectively, which is $423 and $455 more than Mississippi’s statewide average.

In Mississippi, Independent Living tends to be one of the most affordable senior care options available. Adult day care is the least expensive option, costing an average of $1,408 per month, $867 less than Independent Living. Home care and Home Health Care costs both average $3,813 monthly. Nursing homes cost between $7,118 and $7,314 per month, depending on whether seniors choose semiprivate or private rooms. Assisted living costs $3,500 per month or $1,275 more than Independent Living.

Seniors in Mississippi can find a range of options to pay for independent living. Though this is typically not a covered insurance cost, options like reverse mortgages, long-term care insurance and retirement savings can make it an affordable option. Some seniors can sell or rent out their homes and use the proceeds to pay for their independent living community. Learn more about locations offering independent living, the costs of independent living and your options to pay for this type of care.