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MarketsMississippiMeridianRent Analysis

Rent Analysis: Meridian, MS

Updated 2026 · Based on median market data for Meridian, MS

Cap Rate
8.45%
Median Price
$120K
Rent/Mo
$1,070
1% Rule
0.89%
Fails

Rent Overview

The median monthly rent in Meridian, MS is $1,070, translating to $12,840 in annual gross rental income per unit. The rent-to-price ratio is 0.89% — below the 1% rule but within a range where deals can work with good financing.

Rent Affordability

Renters in Meridian spend approximately 33% of the local median household income ($39,333) on rent. This exceeds the standard 30% affordability threshold, suggesting rent growth may face resistance — but it also means a large portion of the population finds buying even more out of reach, supporting rental demand.

Vacancy & Tenant Demand

The vacancy rate in Meridian is 7.4%. This is above the national average and warrants careful tenant screening and marketing. Budget for longer vacancy periods between tenants and consider offering competitive amenities or pricing to reduce turnover. Population growth of 0.2% annually provides stable demand.

Gross Rent Multiplier

Meridian's GRM (price divided by annual rent) is 9.3x. A GRM under 12x is excellent — it means you're paying less than 12 years of gross rent for the property, suggesting strong income relative to price. For comparison, the national average GRM for investment-grade rentals is approximately 13-15x.

Rental Income Projection

At the median rent of $1,070/mo, a single-family rental in Meridian generates approximately $12,840 in gross annual income. After accounting for 7.4% vacancy ($950 lost), property taxes of $792, insurance (~$480), and maintenance (~$480), the estimated NOI is $10,138 per year, or $845/mo.

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How Meridian Compares

Meridian vs Mississippi state average and national average across key investment metrics. Meridian outperforms both benchmarks on cap rate.

Metric
Meridian
Mississippi Avg
National Avg
Cap Rate
8.45%
6.26%
3.81%
Median Price
$120K
$208K
$333K
Median Rent
$1,070
$1,387
$1,524
Property Tax
0.66%
0.66%
1.08%
Vacancy
7.4%
7.4%
5.6%
Pop. Growth
0.2%/yr
0.2%/yr
0.9%/yr

Nearby South Markets

City
Cap Rate
Price
Rent
Tax
Meridian, MS
8.4%
$120K
$1,070
0.66%
Plainview, TX
5.5%
$115K
$820
1.72%
Weirton, WV
6.0%
$125K
$830
0.58%
Lumberton, NC
7.6%
$130K
$1,050
0.78%
Opelousas, LA
6.6%
$130K
$920
0.54%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average rent in Meridian, MS?
The median monthly rent in Meridian is $1,070, or $12,840 per year. This is 30% below the national average of $1,524/mo. Rent levels vary by neighborhood, property condition, and unit size — always verify comparable rents for your target property.
Is Meridian a good rental market for landlords?
With a rent-to-price ratio of 0.89%, Meridian falls below the 1% rule, meaning cash flow depends on buying below median or achieving above-median rents. The 7.4% vacancy rate is moderate.
How does Meridian rent compare to Mississippi averages?
Meridian's median rent of $1,070/mo is 23% below the Mississippi average of $1,387/mo. Home prices at $120K are below the state average of $208K, giving Meridian a rent-to-price ratio of 0.89% vs 0.67% statewide.
What is a good rent-to-price ratio?
The 1% rule says monthly rent should be at least 1% of purchase price ($1,000/mo rent on a $100,000 home). Meridian's ratio is 0.89%. Generally, above 0.8% is workable with good financing, above 1% is strong, and above 1.2% is exceptional. The national average across the 300+ cities we track is 0.46%.
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Explore Meridian & Related Markets

More Meridian Guides

Rental Property Investment GuideProperty Tax GuideCost of Living & AffordabilityAppreciation & Growth ForecastNeighborhood Investment Guide

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