City Comparison
Starkville vs Moscow
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Starkville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Starkville
Moscow
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Moscow is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
109% higher compared to Starkville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Starkville's average rent is
35% higher than Moscow's.
| Metric | Starkville | Moscow | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,800 | $1,338 | +35% |
| Groceries | $450 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,800 | $1,338 | +109% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 111 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Moscow offers 14% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Moscow delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Starkville is estimated at
$55,000 vs $84,360 in Moscow.
| Metric | Starkville | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $76,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $84,360 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,421 idx | 68,468 idx |
| Household Income | $42,125 | $57,022 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Starkville runs warmer on average — a 65.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Starkville comes out ahead with 248 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Starkville sees 2.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Starkville | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 65.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 89.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 37.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 49.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 2.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 248 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Moscow has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,000 minutes (117 hours) per year compared to Starkville.
Moscow scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Moscow leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Starkville | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 14 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 29.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Moscow is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Moscow is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Moscow has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Starkville | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,753 | 26,286 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 26.0 | 25.7 |
| Unemployment | 6.10% | 3.00% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Starkville
Advantages
Affordable cost of living, with an index of 95, making it slightly less expensive than the national average.
Strong educational environment and cultural vibrancy driven by Mississippi State University.
Low violent crime rate, making it one of the safer cities in the nation in this regard.
Friendly community atmosphere and Southern hospitality, contributing to a welcoming environment.
Significant economic contribution from tourism, with nearly $200 million in visitor spending in 2024.
Drawbacks
High car dependency for most transportation needs, with a walkability score of 29.
Job market heavily reliant on the university and specific industries like education and manufacturing.
Limited public transportation options outside of university routes.
OCH Regional Medical Center has received mixed ratings, with an overall CMS rating of 2 out of 5 stars.
Median rent is approximately $1,800 per month, which can be a significant cost for some residents.
Moscow
Advantages
High walkability score of 48, making many errands accessible on foot.
Short average commute time of 14.3 minutes, significantly below the national average.
Strong presence of the University of Idaho contributes to a vibrant cultural scene and job market.
Crime rates have seen a significant decrease, with violent crime rates well below the national average.
Rental prices are relatively affordable compared to national averages, despite a higher cost of living than the Idaho average.
Drawbacks
Median household income ($57,022) is below the national average.
Cost of living is 11% higher than the national average.
Limited public transit options contribute to a medium car dependency.
Job growth rate of 0.167% is modest.
Median age of 25.7 is significantly younger than the national average, which may not appeal to all demographics.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Starkville
#38Mississippi, USA
64.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
29.0/10
Sunny Days
248/yr
Avg Temp
65.30°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
6.10%
Livability
74
Business
68
Moscow
#72Idaho, USA
60.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,338
Avg Salary
$76,000
Cost Index
111
Commute
14 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
48.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
87
Business
65
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