Building Net Worth in Mississippi
Net worth is the single most comprehensive measure of financial health — it captures everything you own (assets) minus everything you owe (liabilities). In Mississippi, with a cost of living index of 84 and a median home price of $175K, housing is typically the dominant asset for middle-income households.
The price-to-income ratio in Mississippi is 3.6× — meaning the median home costs 3.6 years of the median household's gross income. This is a manageable ratio suggesting homeownership is accessible for median-income households with disciplined saving.
Net Worth Targets by Age in Mississippi
| Age | Benchmark (× income) | At $49K/yr |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | 1× annual income | $49,000 |
| 40 | 3× annual income | $147,000 |
| 50 | 6× annual income | $294,000 |
| 60 | 8× annual income | $392,000 |
| 67 (retirement) | 10× annual income | $490,000 |
Targets apply to investable assets (retirement accounts + savings), not including home equity.
Mississippi vs. National Wealth Context
| Metric | Mississippi | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $49,000 | $74,580 |
| Median Home Price | $175,000 | $420,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 84 | 100 |
| Price-to-Income Ratio | 3.6× | 5.6× |
| National Median Net Worth | — | $192,700 |