Franklin County's composite score of 72.9 places it well above the national median of 50.0—in approximately the 46th percentile nationally. This is Mississippi's strongest performer among the eight counties surveyed, demonstrating exceptional livability across key dimensions.
2 / 5
Franklin leads Mississippi counties surveyed
Franklin's score of 72.9 exceeds Mississippi's state average of 67.5, making it the top-ranked county in this cohort and positioning it among the state's better-performing communities. This leadership reflects particularly strong performance on affordability and tax metrics.
3 / 5
Extreme affordability is Franklin's hallmark
Franklin County boasts the nation's most compelling affordability story: a cost score of 89.5 with median home values just $95,100 and rent at only $706/month. Combined with a tax score of 84.1 (0.645% effective rate), Franklin offers unmatched economic accessibility.
4 / 5
Income growth and health outcomes need work
The income score of 13.2 reveals Franklin's fundamental challenge: a median household income of just $45,618, the lowest in this group. Health outcomes (56.1) also trail peers, suggesting infrastructure gaps in medical services and preventive care.
5 / 5
Best for ultra-budget-conscious individuals
Franklin suits people with minimal income requirements—retirees with pensions, remote workers earning elsewhere, or anyone seeking absolute rock-bottom living costs. It's the county for those willing to trade higher income opportunities for the lowest possible cost of living in Mississippi.
Franklin County's composite score of 72.9 places it well above the national median of 50.0—in approximately the 46th percentile nationally. This is Mississippi's strongest performer among the eight counties surveyed, demonstrating exceptional livability across key dimensions.
Franklin leads Mississippi counties surveyed
Franklin's score of 72.9 exceeds Mississippi's state average of 67.5, making it the top-ranked county in this cohort and positioning it among the state's better-performing communities. This leadership reflects particularly strong performance on affordability and tax metrics.
Extreme affordability is Franklin's hallmark
Franklin County boasts the nation's most compelling affordability story: a cost score of 89.5 with median home values just $95,100 and rent at only $706/month. Combined with a tax score of 84.1 (0.645% effective rate), Franklin offers unmatched economic accessibility.
Income growth and health outcomes need work
The income score of 13.2 reveals Franklin's fundamental challenge: a median household income of just $45,618, the lowest in this group. Health outcomes (56.1) also trail peers, suggesting infrastructure gaps in medical services and preventive care.
Best for ultra-budget-conscious individuals
Franklin suits people with minimal income requirements—retirees with pensions, remote workers earning elsewhere, or anyone seeking absolute rock-bottom living costs. It's the county for those willing to trade higher income opportunities for the lowest possible cost of living in Mississippi.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛84.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Franklin County's effective tax rate of 0.645% sits below the national median of 0.76%, placing it in approximately the 35th percentile nationally. Annual median taxes of just $613 represent less than one-quarter of the national median of $2,690.
Franklin ranks low in Mississippi
Franklin's 0.645% effective tax rate sits below Mississippi's 0.743% state average, making it one of the more affordable counties for property owners. Residents pay roughly two-thirds of the state's median tax burden of $931.
Franklin among region's most affordable
Franklin County's 0.645% rate matches George County and ranks among the lowest in its region, beaten only by DeSoto (0.641%). Compared to Grenada (1.010%), Franklin residents save roughly $500 annually on median home values.
Median Franklin home costs $613 yearly
The median Franklin home valued at $95,100 generates just $613 in annual property taxes—the lowest among the surveyed counties. Homeowners with mortgages pay $845, while those without pay $527.
Franklin homeowners should verify assessments
Even in lower-tax counties, assessments can drift out of alignment with market reality. Franklin homeowners should review their assessment and challenge it if comparable homes in the area sell for less—a straightforward appeal process often reduces taxes further.
Franklin County's median household income of $45,618 is 39% below the national average, yet its 18.6% rent-to-income ratio ranks better than the national standard. This rare affordability paradox reflects extremely low rents—just $706 monthly—that align with residents' modest earnings.
Mississippi's most affordable rental county
Franklin boasts the lowest rent-to-income ratio in our eight-county sample at 18.6%, and its $706 monthly rent is 10% below the state average. The county offers the clearest example of housing costs matching local income levels, avoiding the strain seen in wealthier areas.
Cheapest rents, lowest incomes
Franklin's $706 rent and $45,618 income are the lowest in the region, but the balance between them is notably healthier than higher-income counties. Greene County ($811 rent, $55,838 income) and George County ($868 rent, $54,822 income) charge more while offering only slightly better wages.
Owner costs stay lean and accessible
Franklin's $418 monthly owner cost (11% of income) is the absolute lowest in the sample, making homeownership dramatically more accessible than renting. At a median home value of just $95,100, residents can build equity affordably—a genuine advantage for lower-income households.
Best bet for budget-conscious relocators
If affordability is your north star, Franklin County delivers: the lowest rent-to-income ratio, cheapest rents, and most achievable homeownership costs statewide. Readers priced out of wealthier counties like DeSoto or Harrison should seriously explore Franklin's genuine housing accessibility.
Franklin County's median household income of $45,618 trails the national median of $74,755 by 39%, representing one of the widest earnings gaps in this analysis. This substantial shortfall reflects limited job diversity and economic opportunity in the county.
Below average even for Mississippi
Franklin County's $45,618 median household income falls 6% below Mississippi's statewide average of $48,514, placing it in the lower half of state counties. Per capita income of $27,379 nearly matches the state average of $27,136, suggesting concentrated income among fewer households.
Franklin struggles compared to region
Franklin County's $45,618 income ranks lowest among neighboring counties, falling behind Grenada County ($47,998) and Greene County ($55,838). The gap underscores Franklin's economic isolation and limited employment base.
Low rent burden, but limited surplus
Franklin's rent-to-income ratio of 18.6% is favorable, meaning housing consumes less than one-fifth of household income. However, median home values of $95,100 and modest household earnings leave little margin for savings or unexpected expenses.
Wealth-building starts with basics
Franklin County residents can begin wealth accumulation by controlling fixed costs and exploring income-growth opportunities through job training or entrepreneurship. Even small monthly savings—$50 to $100—compound significantly over time and create financial resilience.
At 71.5 years, Franklin County's life expectancy trails the U.S. average of 68.0 years by only 3.5 years, but a staggering 24.8% of residents report poor or fair health—well above the national rate of 21.3%. This disconnect suggests underlying chronic disease burdens despite moderate longevity.
Among Mississippi's Sickest
Franklin's 24.8% poor/fair health rate ranks among the worst in Mississippi, and its 13.8% uninsured rate matches the state average exactly. This rural county struggles with health outcomes despite comparable insurance coverage.
Isolation Compounds Health Struggles
Franklin's 71.5-year life expectancy and 24.8% poor/fair health rate compare poorly to healthier counties like Greene (74.7 years) and Hancock (74.3 years). Geographic remoteness and limited economic resources compound these disparities.
Severe Provider Shortage
Franklin County has just 13 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—among the lowest in the state—and only 26 mental health providers per 100K. Residents often travel long distances for routine care, delaying treatment for preventable conditions.
Critical: Get Covered Today
At 13.8% uninsured, Franklin residents face barriers to managing chronic diseases. Visit healthcare.gov immediately or contact your county health department—taking action now can prevent costlier health crises down the road.
Franklin County's composite risk score of 17.33 places it among the safest counties nationwide, far below the national average. This very low rating indicates substantially reduced exposure to most major natural hazard types.
Mississippi's lowest-risk county
Franklin County's score of 17.33 dramatically undercuts Mississippi's state average of 50.94, making it the safest county in the state by a wide margin. Residents benefit from significantly lower disaster vulnerability compared to peers across Mississippi.
Substantially safer than surrounding counties
Franklin County's 17.33 score is a fraction of Forrest County's 78.05 to the north and Greene County's 42.18 to the northeast. The county stands as an exceptional low-risk pocket within its region.
Hurricane risk remains the top concern
Even in Franklin County, hurricane risk at 69.88 stands notably higher than other hazards, reflecting coastal moisture patterns and weather systems. Flood risk (23.19) and wildfire risk (40.71) present minimal exposure by comparison.
Standard coverage is largely sufficient here
Franklin County's low overall risk profile means standard homeowners insurance provides adequate protection for most residents. Still maintain basic hurricane and flood awareness, and review your policy annually to ensure coverage keeps pace with home values.