Biloxi Relocation Deep Dive: 2026 Data Report

Biloxi: The Data Profile (2026)

Biloxi presents a distinct economic profile for 2026, characterized by a cost-of-living structure that diverges significantly from national averages, despite a depressed median income. The city has a population of 49,011, classifying it as a smaller urban center. The median household income stands at $55,958, which is 25.0% lower than the US average of $74,580. This income disparity is partially offset by a lower educational attainment rate, with only 28.9% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher (compared to the US average of 33.1%).

The statistical target demographic for Biloxi in the post-remote era is the cost-sensitive hybrid worker. This profile fits individuals or families earning between $50,000 and $70,000 annually who can leverage remote work to insulate themselves from the local wage ceiling while capitalizing on a unique housing market where the Cost of Living Index for Housing is exactly 100.0 (0.0% deviation from the national mean), while other sectors like Healthcare (82.9) and Groceries (94.9) offer significant savings.

Cost of Living Analysis

The financial advantage of living in Biloxi is driven by utility and service costs rather than housing. While housing costs align with the national average, the aggregate cost of living remains below the US benchmark.

Disposable Income Analysis:
A single adult earning the median income of $55,958 takes home approximately $4,265 monthly after taxes. With a monthly expenditure of $2,273, the theoretical disposable income is $1,992. However, a family of four on a single median income faces a deficit, requiring a dual-income household to sustain the $5,438 monthly burn rate. The key financial lever here is the electricity cost, which averages 13.39 cents/kWh, significantly lower than the US average of 16.0 cents/kWh, resulting in annual savings of approximately $350 for the average household.

Housing Market Deep Dive

The Biloxi housing market in 2026 is a statistical anomaly: it tracks the national average for pricing despite the local economy being 25.0% smaller. This creates a "value trap" for renters and a stable entry point for buyers.

Buy vs. Rent Analysis:
Data indicates that renting is significantly more advantageous relative to the national curve. While the median home price of $385,000 is slightly below the US average, the rental market is deeply discounted. The $923 rent for a 1-bedroom unit is 36.3% cheaper than the national average. For the median earner, the price-to-rent ratio suggests that renting preserves cash flow, allowing for investment in external markets rather than locking capital into a local asset that is appreciating slower than the national average (-5.2%).

Economic & Job Market Outlook

Biloxi’s economy is anchored by three pillars: tourism/gaming, aerospace (Keesler AFB), and maritime manufacturing. The local unemployment rate is 3.8%, slightly better than the US average of 4.0%, indicating a tight labor market despite lower wages.

RTO & Commute:
In the post-remote landscape, Biloxi offers a distinct "hybrid advantage." The average commute time is 19.5 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 27.6 minutes. For the 28.9% of the workforce with college degrees working hybrid roles, this proximity to amenities and low traffic stress reduces the "time tax" of RTO mandates. However, the reliance on the military and service sectors means that high-paying tech or finance roles are scarce; the local economy is stable but lacks high-ceiling growth opportunities.

Quality of Life Audit

While the economic data is mixed, the Quality of Life (QoL) metrics present a complex picture of health risks offset by environmental stability.

Safety & Environment:

• Safety: Biloxi reports 265.3 violent crimes per 100k (slightly above the US average of 234.0) and 1,958.1 property crimes per 100k (significantly above the US average of 1,650.0). Residents must exercise standard urban vigilance.
• Air Quality: The AQI is 42 (Good), and PM2.5 levels are 7.1 µg/m³, outperforming the US average. This is a major draw for health-conscious movers.
• Schools: The K-12 system ranks in the bottom 40% of the state, a critical data point for families.
• Weather: High humidity and hurricane risk (June–November) are significant lifestyle factors, with an average of 1.5 major storm impacts per decade.

The Verdict

Pros:

• Rental Value: Rent is 36.3% below the national average, offering massive cash flow flexibility.
• Health Environment: Air quality (AQI 42) is superior to the US average.
• Job Stability: Unemployment at 3.8% is lower than the national average.
• Utilities: Electricity costs are 13.39 cents/kWh, providing consistent savings.

Cons:

• Income Ceiling: Median income is $55,958, which is 25.0% below the US average.
• Health Risks: High rates of obesity (35.1%) and diabetes (13.5%) suggest a challenging environment for maintaining healthy lifestyle norms.
• Crime: Property crime rates are roughly 18.7% higher than the national average.
• Buying Power: The Median Home Price of $385,000 is high relative to local wages.

Final Recommendation:
Biloxi is a Strong Rent for Hybrid Workers recommendation. It is statistically unsuitable for those relying solely on local wages to build wealth, but highly attractive to remote workers earning national-average salaries who wish to maximize disposable income. The data suggests renting is the mathematically superior financial decision here.

FAQs

1. What salary is needed for a comfortable life in Biloxi?
For a single person, a salary of $60,000 offers comfort, providing roughly $1,900 in monthly disposable income after taxes and expenses. For a family, a dual-income household totaling $100,000 is recommended to maintain a savings rate comparable to the national median.

2. Does the lower cost of living offset the lower wages?
Partially. While Groceries (94.9 Index) and Healthcare (82.9 Index) are cheaper, the Housing Index is 100.0. If you are paying national-average housing costs but earning 25.0% less, your purchasing power is diminished. Only remote workers can fully capitalize on the COL arbitrage.

3. How safe is Biloxi compared to the US average?
Biloxi is safer regarding violent encounters but riskier regarding property theft. Violent crime is ~13% higher than the US average, while property crime is nearly 19% higher. Home security systems are a statistical necessity.

4. When is the best time to move/rent?
The best time to secure a lease is October to December, immediately following hurricane season and the summer tourism rush. Rental inventory typically increases, and landlords are more willing to negotiate, often offering one month free on 12-month leases.