CountyScore

Prentiss County

Mississippi · MS

#20 in Mississippi
70.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Prentiss County, Mississippi

Prentiss ranks in top third nationwide

Prentiss County's composite score of 70.3 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 20 points, placing it in the 70th percentile of U.S. counties. This makes Prentiss one of the more livable rural counties in America.

Mississippi's livability leader

Prentiss's 70.3 score is the highest among all eight counties profiled here and exceeds Mississippi's state average of 67.5 by 2.8 points. It stands near the top of Mississippi's livability rankings.

Unbeatable affordability and tax efficiency

Prentiss leads with a cost score of 87.6—the highest in this group—offering the lowest median rent ($620) and some of the cheapest median home values ($116,500). A tax score of 83.2 with a 0.678% effective rate completes a fiscally unbeatable package.

Income opportunities remain limited

Prentiss's income score of 17.0 and median household income of $51,466 reflect modest earning potential relative to state and national standards. Job creation and wage growth would strengthen the county's overall appeal.

Perfect for rural cost-conscious living

Prentiss County is ideal for retirees, remote workers, and families prioritizing ultra-low housing costs and property taxes over local employment. Its exceptional affordability makes it Mississippi's best choice for those living on fixed or independent incomes.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax83.2Cost87.6SafetyComing SoonHealth59.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome17Risk48.5WaterComing Soon
🏛83.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠87.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼17
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤59.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡48.5
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Prentiss County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Petersburg Borough
Alaska
70.3
Median income: $77,026
Trinity County
California
70.3
Median income: $53,498
Johnson County
Georgia
70.3
Median income: $54,183
Pulaski County
Georgia
70.3
Median income: $47,688
Webster County
Georgia
70.3
Median income: $40,764

Deep Dives

Prentiss County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Prentiss County

via TaxByCounty

Prentiss County offers low national tax rates

Prentiss County's 0.678% effective tax rate ranks in the bottom 12% of U.S. counties, roughly one-quarter the national median rate of 2.69%. Annual taxes of $790 on a median home value of $116,500 represent significant savings versus the national median tax of $2,690.

Slightly below state average in Mississippi

At 0.678%, Prentiss County trails the Mississippi average of 0.743%, ranking it among the state's lower-tax counties. Homeowners here pay roughly $140 less annually than the state median tax of $931.

Moderate rates in northeast Mississippi

Prentiss County's 0.678% rate sits between Pontotoc County (0.660%) and Pike County (0.929%), placing it near the regional average. It ranks as one of the more affordable counties in northeast Mississippi.

Typical annual tax: $790

On the median home value of $116,500, Prentiss County homeowners pay approximately $790 per year, or about $65.83 monthly. Properties with mortgages average $946 annually due to potential assessed value variations.

Check if your property is fairly assessed

Even moderate tax rates can hide overassessed properties—some Prentiss County homeowners may qualify for appeals. Contact the county assessor's office to verify your home's assessed value matches comparable sales in your area.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Prentiss County

via CostByCounty

Prentiss offers exceptionally low rent

Prentiss County residents spend just 14.5% of income on rent—well below both the national 30% guideline and Mississippi's 19.6% average. At only $620 monthly, Prentiss delivers some of the lowest housing costs in the state while maintaining a respectable median household income of $51,466.

Most affordable rent in this peer group

Prentiss County's 14.5% rent-to-income ratio ranks among Mississippi's most affordable, significantly outperforming the state average of 19.6%. The county's $620 median rent is the lowest in this analysis, making it an exceptional option for cost-conscious renters throughout Mississippi.

Cheapest rent in the region

Prentiss's $620 monthly rent substantially undercuts Pike County ($879), Simpson County ($819), and Pontotoc County ($848), while matching Sharkey County's pricing. Combined with a reasonable $51,466 median income, Prentiss emerges as the region's most affordable rental market.

Renting and buying are nearly equal

Prentiss renters pay $620 monthly while homeowners spend $646—among the smallest gaps in this analysis, suggesting an unusually balanced housing market. Housing costs consume just 14.5% of the median $51,466 income, leaving substantial room for other household priorities.

Mississippi's best rental value awaits

If housing affordability is your priority, Prentiss County offers exceptional value with the lowest rent in this region and a healthy rent-to-income ratio. Renters seeking to minimize housing costs while maintaining reasonable income can't do better in Mississippi than Prentiss.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Prentiss County

via IncomeByCounty

Prentiss County trails national income significantly

Prentiss County's median household income of $51,466 lags the U.S. median of $74,755 by 31%, reflecting the income gap between rural Mississippi and national economic centers. However, at nearly $29,000 per capita, Prentiss County shows slightly higher per-capita earnings than its state.

Above-average earner for Mississippi standards

Prentiss County ranks solidly above Mississippi's median household income of $48,514, generating about $2,950 more annually per household. Its per-capita income of $28,978 also exceeds the state average of $27,136, signaling distributed economic opportunity across residents.

Competes favorably with peer counties

Prentiss County's $51,466 income places it near Pontotoc County ($52,741) and well above Pike County ($41,578), establishing it as a mid-tier earner in the region. This stability reflects a mix of agriculture, small manufacturing, and service employment.

Strong housing affordability supports stability

Prentiss County's rent-to-income ratio of just 14.5% is among the lowest in the state, indicating robust housing affordability and financial breathing room. A median home value of $116,500 remains well within reach for the median household, facilitating homeownership and equity building.

Harness affordability advantage for wealth building

Prentiss County's combination of $51,466 income and exceptional housing affordability creates a powerful wealth-building foundation. With housing costs consuming just 14.5% of income, households can comfortably allocate 15–20% to retirement savings, college funds, or investment portfolios.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Prentiss County

via HealthByCounty

Prentiss life expectancy gap is closing

Prentiss County residents live to 72.0 years on average, about 2.5 years short of the U.S. average of 74.5 years. At 22.5%, the county's poor/fair health rate exceeds the national rate of 18%, though it remains among Mississippi's better-performing counties in this measure.

Prentiss ranks above state median

With a life expectancy of 72.0 years, Prentiss County exceeds Mississippi's 70.9-year state average by 1.1 years. The 22.5% poor/fair health rate also beats the state median, positioning Prentiss as a health performer relative to its peer counties.

Competitive health profile in North Mississippi

Prentiss's 72.0-year life expectancy rivals Pontotoc (72.7) and exceeds Simpson (70.6) and Pike (69.7) in the region. Its 22.5% poor health rate aligns with regional peers, though all trail Rankin County's notably stronger 19.1% rate.

Healthcare access improving, gaps remain

Prentiss County's 13.0% uninsured rate is the best among surveyed counties and notably below the state average of 13.9%. With 32 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, access is moderate—adequate for routine care but potentially insufficient during surge periods.

Keep coverage strong in Prentiss

Prentiss leads the region in insurance coverage, but 13% of residents remain uninsured and vulnerable to medical hardship. If you're uninsured or underinsured, healthcare.gov offers plans designed to fit various budgets and health needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Prentiss County

via RiskByCounty

Prentiss County holds near-average national risk

Prentiss County scores 51.53 on the composite risk scale, essentially matching the national average and indicating moderate, balanced exposure across multiple hazards. Like its neighbors, Prentiss shows notably high earthquake risk (87.56) alongside moderate tornado exposure (72.87). This profile places Prentiss in the middle range of U.S. counties—safer than many but not immune to serious threats.

Prentiss County ranks just above Mississippi average

At 51.53, Prentiss County's composite risk slightly exceeds Mississippi's state average of 50.94, placing it near the middle of the state's 82-county distribution. The county's earthquake risk of 87.56 is substantially higher than the state average, reflecting its position in an active seismic zone. Overall, Prentiss residents face slightly above-average natural disaster exposure for Mississippi.

Prentiss County ranks safer than Pike to the south

Prentiss County's 51.53 composite score falls well below Pike County's 70.42 to the south, offering residents meaningfully lower overall risk exposure. However, Prentiss shows similar earthquake risk (87.56 vs. Pontotoc's 85.27), suggesting a shared seismic vulnerability across northeast Mississippi. The county's tornado risk of 72.87 remains moderate but lower than Pike's dangerous 90.08.

Earthquakes dominate Prentiss County's hazard profile

Prentiss County's earthquake risk of 87.56 is exceptionally high and represents the county's primary natural disaster concern, far exceeding tornado risk at 72.87. Hurricane exposure registers at 56.78, providing a secondary but lesser threat. The county's earthquake vulnerability reflects its location within an active seismic region and demands specific structural preparedness.

Earthquake safety is paramount in Prentiss County

Residents should prioritize earthquake safety by securing furniture and water heaters, identifying safe sheltering spots, and practicing drop-cover-hold-on techniques with family members. A well-stocked emergency kit and communication plan become essential tools when earthquakes disrupt utilities and transportation. Consider consulting a structural engineer about retrofitting older homes to meet modern seismic standards.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.