KOSCIUSKO, Miss. — Attala County has been named one of the 50 least expensive counties to live in the United States, according to a recent analysis by 24/7 Wall St.
With a cost of living 19.5% lower than the national average, Attala ranks No. 19 on the list as residents find their dollars stretch further for everyday expenses like housing, groceries, and utilities.
The median household income in Attala County is $41,194, about 47% below the national median, while the median home value stands at $103,200, significantly less than the national figure of $340,000.
Despite a 5-year average unemployment rate of 6.6%, slightly above the national average, the county’s low cost of living offers financial relief for its roughly 17,900 residents.
The 24/7 Wall St. report, which draws on data from the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey, highlights that many of the nation’s most affordable counties are concentrated in the South, with Mississippi alone accounting for 18 of the top 50.
Attala County’s affordability is driven by low housing costs and limited consumer demand, typical of rural areas.
Other local counties making the list include:
- Kemper – No. 5
- Leake – No. 8
- Winston – No. 16
- Scott – No. 17
- Neshoba – No. 22
- Newton – No. 30
