Best Places to Live in Mississippi

Mississippi—a fun word to say and a fun way to count off one full second (“one Mississippi, two Mississippi . . .”). But it’s also a beautiful state with lots of great places to live.

Located in America’s Deep South, Mississippi has lots of history and culture—and has also become a hot spot for industry in the last few years. This makes the state a great place to live, work and play.

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If you’re reading this, you might be considering a move to Mississippi—maybe for a new job or to start the next chapter of life after work. We’ve got a great jumping-off point for your journey right here as we go through the best places to live in Mississippi.

Life in Mississippi

Just like the current of the river Mississippi is named after, life here is slower-paced—giving people the chance to really take in life and be a part of a community.

Mississippi is known as the Hospitality State, and it’s very fitting. Its people live out Southern kindness—willing to help a stranger, invite you over for dinner, or host neighborhood get-togethers. But they’re also very protective of their way of life. Mississippians love their college football, but most folks go to church before the games on Sunday, and many businesses are closed on Sundays.

And Mississippians also love the outdoors, even if it does get hot and humid during the summer (AC is a must). The good news is that the winters are very often mild.

Now, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Mississippi has gained a reputation as one of the poorest states in the union (it consistently ranks in the bottom five), with almost 20% of residents living below the poverty line as well as a low median household income.^1,2

But the Mississippi state and local governments have done a lot to turn that reputation around, working to attract big businesses like Amazon. The state’s flat income tax rate is being gradually reduced from 4% to 3% by 2030 (hopefully going to zero by 2040), and the sales tax on groceries has also been reduced from 7% to 5% (yay!).^3,4

So, while Mississippi may be pretty rural in places, it’s definitely an up-and-coming economic market.

The Best Places to Live in Mississippi

Before we go through our list of the best places to live in the Hospitality State, let’s get one thing out of the way: All “best places” lists are subjective, including this one. While we did use data (population, home and rent prices, etc.), the best place to live will ultimately depend on your personal preferences and needs. But to add credibility to our list, we also got the inside scoop from some current and former Mississippians.

Oxford

If one word could describe the city of Oxford, it would probably be academic. It was founded in 1837 and named for the famous English college. The city was intended to be a center of learning and culture—and with the establishment of the University of Mississippi (known as “Ole Miss”) in 1848, Oxford became just that.

Ole Miss dominates the atmosphere in Oxford as both the city’s largest employer and the center of social activities like college sports (“Hotty Toddy” to all the Rebels out there!).⁵ Adding to the academic vibe are sites like Square Books, one of the most famous independent bookstores in the country (located on the downtown square), and Rowan Oak, the home of Nobel Prize-winning author William Faulkner.

Oxford residents also enjoy spending time outdoors. The city has plenty of parks, campgrounds, forests and other public spaces to explore—some of which back up to beautiful Sardis Lake.

Micro Area Population*	72,1366
Median Household Income	$64,4517
Median Home Price	$475,6258
Median Monthly Rent**	$2,4009
Average Annual Rainfall	52 inches10
Unemployment Rate***	3.4%11

^{*Micro area population includes the city and
surrounding urban and suburban areas.
**Median monthly rent is based on all apartment types.
***Unemployment rate is for all of Lafayette County.}

Tupelo

Though it was founded in 1860, Tupelo’s claim to fame is firmly planted in the 20th century: the birthplace of Elvis Presley, the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. The city definitely leans into that distinction pretty hard with statues, murals, an annual festival, and plaques highlighting historic Elvis spots around town (like the store where he bought his first guitar). And the Elvis Presley Birthplace and Museum complex preserves Elvis’ boyhood home, his first church, and even the family outhouse!

Beyond the Elvis mania, Tupelo is a quiet, small-town community with a low cost of living and a big manufacturing base. Top employers include Toyota Motor Manufacturing, North Mississippi Health Services, Ashley Furniture, and Cooper Tires.¹² Tupelo is also surrounded by the natural beauty of several large state parks, with the scenic drive of the Natchez Trace Parkway nearby—not to mention fun encounters with wild animals at the Tupelo Buffalo Park and Zoo.

Micro Area Population*	132,69913
Median Household Income	$66,25714
Median Home Price	$289,92515
Median Monthly Rent**	$1,05016
Average Annual Rainfall	54 inches17
Unemployment Rate***	3.8%18

^{*Micro area population includes the city
and surrounding urban and suburban areas.
**Median monthly rent is based on all apartment types.
***Unemployment rate is for all of Lee County.}

Hattiesburg

The town of Hattiesburg is known as The Hub City. At the time of its founding in 1882, Hattiesburg’s location—where the Bouie and Leaf rivers meet—made it an ideal center for the lumber and railroad industries in the region. The central location is still a big selling point—only a few hours from the Gulf Coast and all the major metro areas in the Deep South, like New Orleans.

While it’s true that Hattiesburg is a college town (home to both the University of Southern Mississippi and William Carey University), life doesn’t completely revolve around the schools like it does in Oxford. Oh sure, there are still lots of college-age kids as well as college sporting events. But the population is more cross-generational, with students sharing community spaces with retirees (Hattiesburg is a certified retirement community). And while education is a big employer in Hattiesburg, health care is actually the top industry.¹⁹

Metro Area Population*	156,41120
Median Household Income	$46,34221
Median Home Price	$309,45022
Median Monthly Rent**	$1,09423
Average Annual Rainfall	51 inches24
Unemployment Rate	3.4%25

^{*Metro area population includes the city
and surrounding urban and suburban areas.
**Median monthly rent is based on a two-bedroom apartment.}

The Best Places to Live in the Jackson Metro Area

Mississippi’s biggest metro area surrounds Jackson, the state’s largest city as well as the capital. Named for President Andrew Jackson, Jackson is called The City With Soul for its connections to Mississippi’s famous blues and jazz music as well as the Civil Rights Movement. This soulful quality is also reflected in many of the restaurants and shops downtown—Southern home cooking, live music and hospitality with a modern twist.

Because Jackson is the state capital, the Mississippi state government is the city’s top employer, followed by health care (thanks to the University of Mississippi Medical Center) and manufacturing.²⁶ And like many of the cities on this list, Jackson is also home to a college: Jackson State University (and the world-famous Sonic Boom of the South marching band).

But we have to level with you . . . Jackson has some issues. It may have a lot of history, culture and interesting things to do, but it also has a pretty serious crime problem. In fact, Jackson is the deadliest city in the country.²⁷ The city’s infrastructure is crumbling as well, with numerous large potholes dotting the streets, problems with garbage collection, and frequent boil-water alerts, among other challenges.

Metro Area Population*	605,80328
Median Household Income	$42,07129
Median Home Price	$299,99930
Median Monthly Rent**	$1,14631
Average Annual Rainfall	50 inches32
Unemployment Rate	3.4%33

^{*Metro area population includes the city
and surrounding urban and suburban areas.
**Median monthly rent is based on a two-bedroom apartment.}

So, we can’t say that Jackson itself is a great place to live, but the city can be a good day trip destination—especially downtown during the daytime. However, there are many surrounding cities and suburbs available if life brings you to the Jackson metro.

Madison

Located 13 miles north of Jackson off Interstate 55, Madison offers quite the contrast to the big city. It’s consistently voted the best place to live in Mississippi and ranks among the best places to live in the U.S.³⁴ One of Madison’s most striking features is the widespread adoption of a romantic, Southern style by many of the businesses in town (even the Taco Bell looks like a mansion!). And with outdoor attractions like Strawberry Patch Park and the Ross Barnett Reservoir, a downtown filled with festivals, and events like the annual Scarecrow Cruise and Car Show, the community comes to life year-round.

Madison has had a robust manufacturing base for years, with Nissan North America as the biggest manufacturer in the area.³⁵ The abundance of affordable land has also attracted tech companies like Amazon to build large warehouses and data centers, bringing even more job opportunities to this part of the state.

Median Household Income	$119,33836
Median Home Price	$410,43237
Median Monthly Rent*	$2,49538
Unemployment Rate**	3.0%39

^{*Median monthly rent is based on all apartment types.
**Unemployment rate includes all of Madison County.}

Clinton

Clinton borders the west side of Jackson, and its official motto is “You Belong Here.” The Olde Towne district—with its brick streets and locally owned shops and restaurants—is a friendly gathering place for events like the weekly Fresh at Five Farmers Market and the annual Red Brick Roads Music Festival. Clinton is also a college town, home to Mississippi College (founded in 1826—the oldest college in the state).

Clinton pairs that atmosphere with a healthy job sector. Top industries include manufacturing and education, with Continental Tire as the largest employer in the area.⁴⁰ The city is also positioning itself as a potential tech hub—advertising its low electricity rates, availability of land for data centers and cloud infrastructure, and access to fiber-optic networks.

Median Household Income	$74,74541
Median Home Price	$237,46742
Median Monthly Rent*	$1,55043
Unemployment Rate**	4.3%44

^{*Median monthly rent is based on all apartment types.
**Unemployment rate includes all of Hinds County.}

Brandon

East of Jackson in neighboring Rankin County is Brandon—another beautiful Mississippi small town brimming with possibility. While definitely a suburb, the city is known for offering a range of lot sizes. Depending on your budget and lifestyle, you can choose a neighborhood with homes close together or spread out with plenty of space.

Those open spaces also include seven parks, the perfect places for sports and community events like the Dog Days of Summer. The 250-acre Quarry Park features the Brandon Amphitheater, which hosts concerts throughout the summer months.

Brandon is also one of the fastest-growing cities in the region, fueled by its proximity to Jackson and other industrial centers in the state. And the area’s top industries include health care, manufacturing and education.⁴⁵

Median Household Income	$92,78346
Median Home Price	$284,75547
Median Monthly Rent*	$1,90048
Unemployment Rate**	3.2%49

^{*Median monthly rent is based on all apartment types.
**Unemployment rate includes all of Rankin County.}

The Best Places to Live on the Mississippi Gulf Coast

Mississippi's Gulf Coast—also known as the Coastal Mississippi coastal—offers 60-plus miles of white sand beaches. Often called a hidden gem, it's not as crowded with tourists like Florida's Gulf Coast—earning it the nickname “the Secret Coast.” So it still fits the slower pace of life Mississippi is known for and comes with a lower cost of living than many beach communities.

Seeing the miles of beach and sunny, laid-back atmosphere might have you thinking this region’s main industry is tourism. While it’s true that tourism contributes a sizable amount to the local economy (including the many casinos along the shore), oil refining, military bases and shipbuilding are also major industries. In fact, Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula is the largest employer in all of Mississippi!⁵⁰

 

While Gulf Coast cities have many things in common—like shared industries—each has its own fun personality and culture. There’s truly something for everyone on this coastline.

Metro Area Population*	426,79351
Average Annual Rainfall	64 inches52

^{*Metro area population includes all urban
and suburban areas in the Gulfport-Biloxi metro area.}

Bay St. Louis

Bay St. Louis is on the western side of the Mississippi Gulf Coast along the Bay of St. Louis. Okay, so it’s not the most creative name, but Bay St. Louis is a place full of people known for their spirit of resilience.

The city was hit pretty hard by Hurricane Katrina back in 2005 but has since bounced back and reinvented itself as a quiet, trendy but quirky little beach town full of locally owned shops and restaurants. The Old Town district is the place to be for community events like Second Saturday and Pirate Day in the Bay.

Median Household Income	$67,44253
Median Home Price	$236,95854
Median Monthly Rent*	$1,47555
Unemployment Rate**	3.7%56

^{*Median monthly rent is based on all apartment types.
**Unemployment rate includes all of Hancock County.}

Pass Christian

Just across the bridge from Bay St. Louis is Pass Christian (pronounced “chris-tee-an”). Called The Pass by locals, this town has a few things in common with its neighbor across the bay—like its French roots and post-Katrina rebuilding. But life and commerce in The Pass are centered more around the seafood-catching and -processing industry.⁵⁷ And it has a Buc-ee’s—always a plus!

Median Household Income	$78,21258
Median Home Price	$302,88159
Median Monthly Rent*	$1,22560
Unemployment Rate**	4.1%61

^{*Median monthly rent is based on all apartment types.
**Unemployment rate includes all of Harrison County.}

Gulfport

At the midpoint of the Mississippi coast, you’ll find Gulfport. Originally founded as a railroad and port town in 1887, Gulfport is now the state's second-largest city and a major shipping hub on the Gulf. The Port of Gulfport (yes, its name is a bit redundant) is also one of the area's top employers.⁶²

 

Gulfport is a military town as well, with the Naval Construction Battalion Center (home of the Seabees) representing another large industry. The city also has the largest airport in the state outside of the Jackson metro (Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport), as well as lots of amazing attractions like the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center, the Mississippi Aquarium, and Gulf Islands Waterpark.

Median Household Income	$49,91963
Median Home Price	$303,11964
Median Monthly Rent*	$1,13665
Unemployment Rate	3.6%66

^{*Median monthly rent is based on a two-bedroom apartment.}

Biloxi

The Gulf Coast has a long history of gambling—both illegal and legal—going back to the 1800s (and until 2005, Mississippi casinos had to be on the water, not on land). But Biloxi is home to most of the region’s casinos (eight out of the 12), giving the coastline a glitzy Atlantic City vibe filled with excitement and live entertainment.

Biloxi still has a heaping helping of that Mississippi culture, though. Seafood is a big part of the city’s heritage (it used to be the top industry before gaming and defense) and is celebrated at local events like the Crawfish Music Festival.⁶⁷

Median Household Income	$57,20468
Median Home Price	$303,11969
Median Monthly Rent*	$1,13670
Unemployment Rate	3.6%71

^{*Median monthly rent is based on a two-bedroom apartment.}

Ocean Springs

Across Biloxi Bay is Ocean Springs, a beach town steeped in art and creativity. The city is covered in art displays—colorful murals and sculptures pepper the oak-lined downtown streets. The Walter Anderson Museum of Art is a nationally recognized institution of fine art. Even the city’s many locally owned shops and restaurants like Shearwater Pottery and The TatoNut Shop evoke a handcrafted, artsy spirit.

Tourism is a top industry in Ocean Springs, with art festivals that attract visitors from all over the world.⁷² But there’s also a thriving seafood sector, including open-air markets where you can buy directly from fishing boats!

Median Household Income	$79,71273
Median Home Price	$270,58874
Median Monthly Rent*	$1,80075
Unemployment Rate**	4.1%76

^{*Median monthly rent is based on all apartment types.
**Unemployment rate includes all of Jackson County.}

Best Places to Live in Mississippi for Families

Planning a move to the Hospitality State with kids? Many of Mississippi’s local school districts are rated very high, and the state is full of great communities that are centered around families:

Brandon
Clinton
Madison
Ocean Springs
Pass Christian
Tupelo

Best Places to Live in Mississippi for Retirees

Mississippi’s slow pace of life is a definite perk for retirees looking to spend their golden years relaxing on the porch (or at a sandy beach). And zero tax on retirement income at the state level doesn’t hurt either!⁷⁷ Here are a few retirement-friendly cities to look at:

Bay St. Louis
Hattiesburg
Ocean Springs
Oxford

Ready to Move to Mississippi?

Is all this talk of Southern hospitality, affordable living and business opportunities making Mississippi look more and more enticing? Then the next thing you should do is talk to someone who knows the Hospitality State like the back of their hand: a local RamseyTrusted^® real estate agent.

These pros aren’t your regular real estate agents—they’re people on a mission to find you the perfect home in a community where you’ll thrive. Their experience, professionalism and care have made them a cut above the rest, which is why we put the RamseyTrusted shield next to their names!