CountyScore

Tishomingo County

Mississippi · MS

#10 in Mississippi
71.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Tishomingo County, Mississippi

Tishomingo County ranks in top tier

Tishomingo County's composite score of 71.3 places it 43% above the national median of 50.0, making it one of the most livable counties in America. Its exceptionally low tax rate and affordable housing are the primary drivers of this strong ranking.

Among Mississippi's very best

Tishomingo County scores 71.3, ranking among the state's top performers with a 3.8-point edge over Mississippi's 67.5 average. It competes directly with Smith County and Tallahatchie for distinction within the state.

Low taxes and bargain housing shine

Tishomingo County leads with a tax score of 87.1 and an exceptionally low effective tax rate of 0.538%, paired with a cost score of 88.0 featuring median home values of $132,500 and rent at $703/month. These dimensions rank among the absolute best regionally.

Income opportunity is limited

The income score of 13.6 reflects a median household income of $46,257, the county's primary weakness. Health outcomes (55.1) are moderate, and employment and wage growth prospects remain constrained by rural economic realities.

Perfect for rural simplicity seekers

Tishomingo County is ideal for retirees, remote workers, or minimalist families who prize low living costs and tax efficiency above job growth or urban amenities. It offers the South's best cost-of-living proposition for those with income independent of local labor markets.

Score breakdown

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

Tax87.1Cost88SafetyComing SoonHealth55.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome13.6Risk62.9WaterComing Soon
🏛87.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠88
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼13.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤55.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡62.9
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 Tishomingo County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Barbour County
Alabama
71.3
Median income: $44,290
Marengo County
Alabama
71.3
Median income: $44,205
Clark County
Arkansas
71.3
Median income: $50,985
Jefferson County
Florida
71.3
Median income: $56,984
Lafayette County
Florida
71.3
Median income: $60,692

Deep Dives

Tishomingo County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Tishomingo County

via TaxByCounty

Tishomingo County runs below national median

Tishomingo County's 0.538% effective rate sits well below the national median of 0.88%, placing it in the bottom 35% of U.S. counties for tax burden. The $713 median tax is less than one-quarter the national median of $2,690, delivering unusually light property tax obligations.

Significantly below Mississippi average

Tishomingo County's 0.538% rate runs 28% lower than Mississippi's 0.743% state average, and the $713 median tax undershoots the state median of $931 by 23%. The county ranks among Mississippi's most tax-friendly jurisdictions.

Lower taxes than most regional peers

Tishomingo County's rate is beaten only by Smith (0.457%) and Tunica (0.440%), making it the third-lowest among these eight counties. At $713 median tax, Tishomingo homeowners pay less than Smith and Tunica peers despite moderate home values of $132,500.

What $713 means for your budget

On the median home valued at $132,500, Tishomingo County homeowners pay about $713 annually—roughly $59 monthly. Mortgage-related charges bring the total to $885, still well below state and national averages.

Appeal could further reduce bills

Even in a low-tax county, overassessments occur and are worth challenging. Tishomingo homeowners should request a free assessment review if their home has declined in value or if comparable properties sold for less than their current assessed amount.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Tishomingo County

via CostByCounty

Tishomingo County housing costs below national standards

Tishomingo County's 18.2% rent-to-income ratio sits just below American affordability comfort zones, supported by a $46,257 median household income and $703 monthly rent. While incomes run below the national $74,755 median, housing costs remain proportionate and manageable.

Below-average rent burden in Mississippi

Tishomingo County's 18.2% rent-to-income ratio underperforms Mississippi's 19.6% state average, ranking it among the state's more affordable counties. The $703 monthly rent falls modestly below the state average of $782, easing pressure on lower-income households.

Competitive pricing with higher home values

Tishomingo County's $703 rent aligns closely with Smith County ($664) and Sunflower County ($670), yet its median home value of $132,500 exceeds most neighbors' valuations. This suggests stronger property appreciation potential compared to other rural counties in the region.

Moderate housing burden with equity-building potential

Tishomingo County renters dedicate 18.2% of their $46,257 median income to housing, spending $703 monthly while maintaining reasonable financial flexibility. Homeowners allocate $518 monthly, or 13.4% of household income—well below affordability thresholds—with $132,500 median home values offering meaningful equity accumulation.

Homebuyers find equity opportunity here

Tishomingo County presents a compelling case for buyer-relocators: $518 monthly owner costs, $132,500 median home values, and solid property appreciation signals. If homeownership is your goal and you earn near the $46,000 median, Tishomingo's equity-building economics rival or exceed neighboring counties.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Tishomingo County

via IncomeByCounty

Tishomingo County below national mark

Tishomingo County's median household income of $46,257 trails the national median of $74,755 by $28,498, reflecting rural labor market constraints. This gap is substantial but narrower than the deepest-struggling Mississippi counties, indicating moderate economic health.

Tishomingo near state average

Tishomingo County ranks slightly below the Mississippi state average of $48,514 by $2,257, placing it in the lower-middle tier of state counties. This reflects regional economic patterns shared by northern Mississippi counties with declining populations.

Tishomingo in middle regional tier

Tishomingo County's $46,257 income sits between Smith County ($51,396) and struggling Sunflower County ($40,265), representing moderate regional standing. Tate County ($63,995) and Stone County ($59,307) substantially outpace Tishomingo, while Tallahatchie ($37,383) falls further behind.

Reasonable housing affordability

Tishomingo County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.2% remains comfortably below the 30% affordability threshold, providing manageable housing costs for most households. The median home value of $132,500 offers solid homeownership opportunities aligned with county income levels.

Strategic savings build security

Tishomingo County residents should prioritize consistent savings through payroll deduction and employer retirement plans to compound modest income growth. Community banks often offer favorable rates on savings accounts and low-cost financial counseling to support long-term wealth building.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Tishomingo County

via HealthByCounty

Tishomingo County significantly lags national health

Tishomingo County's 69.7-year life expectancy falls roughly 6.7 years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years, among Mississippi's lowest-performing counties. The 21.2% poor or fair health rate, while the lowest in this group, still exceeds the national average of about 15%, indicating substantial unmet health needs.

Tishomingo County ranks below state average

At 69.7 years, Tishomingo County's life expectancy falls nearly 1.2 years below Mississippi's state average of 70.9 years, placing it among the state's lower-performing counties. Its 21.2% poor or fair health rate is the lowest among the eight counties studied, suggesting relatively better disease control or health management despite lower life expectancy.

Decent primary care, exceptional mental health capacity

Tishomingo County's 27 primary care providers per 100,000 residents rank above average for this group, and its 114 mental health providers per 100,000 place it second only to Tippah County. Despite these resources, life expectancy remains depressed at 69.7 years, pointing to barriers beyond provider availability.

High uninsured rate undercuts provider access

Tishomingo County's 16.6% uninsured rate ranks second-highest in this group—nearly 1 in 6 residents—despite having decent primary care (27 per 100,000) and abundant mental health resources (114 per 100,000). Lack of insurance likely prevents residents from regularly accessing these available providers, contributing to poorer health outcomes.

Insurance opens the door to local care

With Tishomingo County's 16.6% uninsured rate, gaining coverage is key to using the county's 27 primary care and 114 mental health providers effectively. Visit Healthcare.gov or contact the county health department to explore Medicaid expansion or marketplace plans that fit your household budget.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Tishomingo County

via RiskByCounty

Tishomingo County among nation's safest areas

Tishomingo County's composite risk score of 37.09 earns a Very Low rating, significantly outperforming the national average. This superior safety profile reflects well-balanced hazard exposure without any single extreme risk dominating the county.

Tishomingo County ranked safest in Mississippi

At 37.09, Tishomingo County ranks lowest among Mississippi counties, sitting well below the state average of 50.94. This exceptional positioning makes it one of Mississippi's safest communities across multiple hazard types.

Tishomingo County leads regional safety ranking

Tishomingo County's 37.09 score ranks it safest among its immediate neighbors, ahead of Tunica County (36.26) and well below riskier Tate County (41.22). The county offers measurable safety advantages across its region.

Earthquakes and tornadoes remain moderate threats

Tishomingo County residents face moderate earthquake risk (81.30) and modest tornado exposure (64.44) as the county's highest hazards. Flood (30.82), wildfire (37.25), and hurricane (57.07) risks all remain well below statewide averages.

Standard coverage adequate for most needs

Comprehensive homeowner insurance with standard wind and tornado protection adequately covers Tishomingo County's modest risk profile. Earthquake insurance is optional but recommended for those in seismically active zones, given the 81.30 earthquake risk.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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