low cost of living

Tupelo/Lee County offers an attractive combination of small town living with easily accessible urban and suburban attractions. There are a variety of organized activities as well as cultural and sporting events for all ages. With four seasons and winter months considerably milder than in the north, outdoor activities are possible year round. These offerings are supplemented by cultural, academic, and sporting events at nearby Universities, and the presence of Memphis offers the excitement of urban activities including professional sports, and world renowned musical events.

Education:
The public school system in Tupelo/Lee County is recognized as one of the top systems in the State of Mississippi. Over ninety-eight percent (98%) of school age children attend the public schools in the area.

Tupelo Public School District
Tupelo High School: The Golden Wave

Two time recipient of the U.S. Department of Education's Excellence in Education Award (1984 and 2000) * 68% of Advanced Placement students receive college credit for high school work
Graduation rate exceeds state average at 88.3%
4 National Merit Semifinalists and 2 national merit finalists
Over $3.7 million in scholarship money was offered to the class of 2004

K-8… Setting the Standard High:
Per-pupil spending ration is the highest in the state at $7,453
3 of our 6 elementary schools are state and national blue ribbon schools
More than 50% of teaching staff have advanced degrees
Highest state accreditation (level 5) for four consecutive years
Student/teacher ratio: 13 to 1

Health Facilities:
North Mississippi Health Services, with a 650-bed hospital in Tupelo, is the largest non-metropolitan hospital in the nation and the hub of a 22-county health care system with 430+ physicians

Housing:

Average price of a single-family home is $122,600
Annual property tax based on $100,000 primary residence would be less than $1,176 in the city of Tupelo and $922 in the County
In 2005 the total single-family housing starts for the Lee County area were 416

Retail:
Tupelo is the regional shopping hub for Northeast Mississippi with a major mall and strip malls in the surrounding area providing over 1.5 million square feet of retail space and still growing.

Cost of Living:
The relatively low cost of living is an attraction for transferees. The ACCRA Cost of Living index for the 4th quarter of 2005 indicates an area index of 87.5 (compared to the U.S. average of 100). Particularly important is the low cost-of-housing index, which makes the initial capital needs for a move to Tupelo much more feasible for a potential resident.

Compared to neighboring cities:
Tupelo, MS 87.5
Jackson, TN 88.1
Tuscaloosa, AL 89.7
Jackson, MS 91.6
Memphis, TN 94.4

Recreational Facilities:

1400 acres of city park land including 18 beautiful city parks and 12 walking tracks/trails
8 State parks and 4 national forests within an hours drive
Tupelo's Sportsplex houses 16 professionally lighted soccer fields at Ballard Park
Tupelo also has 12 professional lighted baseball fields and 7 softball fields
Headquarters of the Natchez Trace Parkway

Cultural Activities:

Other Area Events and Features:

Birthplace of Elvis Presley - home and museum
Tupelo Furniture Market - 2nd largest market in the US
Major flea market and crafts show
Farmer's market (Downtown Main street Association)
32,000-square foot, 10,000-seat arena (BancorpSouth Center)
Tupelo Buffalo Park
Tupelo Automobile Museum with over 100 collectible cars from the 1800's to the 1990's