A recent 24/7 Wall St. report highlights Leake and Neshoba Counties in Mississippi as standout locations among America’s 50 least expensive counties to live in, based on June 2025 data.
With costs of living 18.9% and 18.8% below the national average, respectively, these rural counties offer significant financial relief amid rising national expenses. In the report, Leake is listed as the No. 8 more affordable county in the country with Neshoba ranking at No. 22.
In Leake County, the median home value is $113,100 with a median household income of $43,393, while Neshoba County reports a median home value of $123,300 and a median income of $47,014.
Both areas face unemployment rates slightly above the national average—7.7% in Leake and 6.5% in Neshoba—but their low housing costs and limited consumer demand keep living expenses manageable.
The report notes that Mississippi dominates the list with 18 counties, reflecting the South’s trend of affordability driven by rural economies.
As inflation continues to challenge households nationwide, Leake and Neshoba Counties remain beacons of economic accessibility in 2025.
Other local counties making the list include:
- Kemper – No. 5
- Winston – No. 16
- Scott – No. 17
- Attala – No. 19
- Newton – No. 30
