Greatest Locations to Dwell in Mississippi

Mississippi—a enjoyable phrase to say and a enjoyable strategy to depend off one full second (“one Mississippi, two Mississippi . . .”). However it’s additionally an attractive state with a lot of nice locations to dwell.

Situated in America’s Deep South, Mississippi has a lot of historical past and tradition—and has additionally turn into a sizzling spot for trade in the previous couple of years. This makes the state an incredible place to dwell, work and play.

If you happen to’re studying this, you is perhaps contemplating a transfer to Mississippi—possibly for a brand new job or to begin the following chapter of life after work. We’ve bought an incredible jumping-off level on your journey proper right here as we undergo the perfect locations to dwell in Mississippi.

Life in Mississippi

Identical to the present of the river Mississippi is called after, life right here is slower-paced—giving folks the prospect to actually soak up life and be part of a neighborhood.

Mississippi is named the Hospitality State, and it’s very becoming. Its folks dwell out Southern kindness—prepared to assist a stranger, invite you over for dinner, or host neighborhood get-togethers. However they’re additionally very protecting of their lifestyle. Mississippians love their faculty soccer, however most people go to church earlier than the video games on Sunday, and plenty of companies are closed on Sundays.

And Mississippians additionally love the outside, even when it does get sizzling and humid through the summer time (AC is a should). The excellent news is that the winters are fairly often gentle.

Now, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Mississippi has gained a status as one of many poorest states within the union (it persistently ranks within the backside 5), with virtually 20% of residents residing under the poverty line in addition to a low median family revenue.^1,2

However the Mississippi state and native governments have accomplished lots to show that status round, working to draw massive companies like Amazon. The state’s flat revenue tax charge is being steadily decreased from 4% to three% by 2030 (hopefully going to zero by 2040), and the gross sales tax on groceries has additionally been decreased from 7% to five% (yay!).^3,4

So, whereas Mississippi could also be fairly rural in locations, it’s positively an up-and-coming financial market.

The Greatest Locations to Dwell in Mississippi

Earlier than we undergo our listing of the perfect locations to dwell within the Hospitality State, let’s get one factor out of the best way: All “finest locations” lists are subjective, together with this one. Whereas we did use knowledge (inhabitants, residence and lease costs, and so forth.), the perfect place to dwell will finally rely in your private preferences and wishes. However so as to add credibility to our listing, we additionally bought the within scoop from some present and former Mississippians.

Oxford

If one phrase may describe the town of Oxford, it might most likely be tutorial. It was based in 1837 and named for the well-known English faculty. Town was meant to be a middle of studying and tradition—and with the institution of the College of Mississippi (generally known as “Ole Miss”) in 1848, Oxford turned simply that.

Ole Miss dominates the ambiance in Oxford as each the town’s largest employer and the middle of social actions like faculty sports activities (“Hotty Toddy” to all of the Rebels on the market!).⁵ Including to the tutorial vibe are websites like Sq. Books, one of the well-known impartial bookstores within the nation (situated on the downtown sq.), and Rowan Oak, the house of Nobel Prize-winning writer William Faulkner.

Oxford residents additionally take pleasure in spending time outside. Town has loads of parks, campgrounds, forests and different public areas to discover—a few of which again as much as lovely Sardis Lake.

^{*Micro space inhabitants consists of the town and
surrounding city and suburban areas.
**Median month-to-month lease relies on all residence varieties.
***Unemployment charge is for all of Lafayette County.}

Tupelo

Although it was based in 1860, Tupelo’s declare to fame is firmly planted within the twentieth century: the birthplace of Elvis Presley, the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Town positively leans into that distinction fairly arduous with statues, murals, an annual competition, and plaques highlighting historic Elvis spots round city (like the shop the place he purchased his first guitar). And the Elvis Presley Birthplace and Museum complicated preserves Elvis’ boyhood residence, his first church, and even the household outhouse!

Past the Elvis mania, Tupelo is a quiet, small-town neighborhood with a low price of residing and a giant manufacturing base. Prime employers embody Toyota Motor Manufacturing, North Mississippi Well being Companies, Ashley Furnishings, and Cooper Tires.¹² Tupelo can be surrounded by the pure fantastic thing about a number of massive state parks, with the scenic drive of the Natchez Hint Parkway close by—to not point out enjoyable encounters with wild animals on the Tupelo Buffalo Park and Zoo.

^{*Micro space inhabitants consists of the town
and surrounding city and suburban areas.
**Median month-to-month lease relies on all residence varieties.
***Unemployment charge is for all of Lee County.}

Hattiesburg

The city of Hattiesburg is named The Hub Metropolis. On the time of its founding in 1882, Hattiesburg’s location—the place the Bouie and Leaf rivers meet—made it an excellent middle for the lumber and railroad industries within the area. The central location continues to be a giant promoting level—only some hours from the Gulf Coast and all the foremost metro areas within the Deep South, like New Orleans.

Whereas it’s true that Hattiesburg is a university city (residence to each the College of Southern Mississippi and William Carey College), life doesn’t utterly revolve across the faculties prefer it does in Oxford. Oh positive, there are nonetheless a lot of college-age children in addition to faculty sporting occasions. However the inhabitants is extra cross-generational, with college students sharing neighborhood areas with retirees (Hattiesburg is an authorized retirement neighborhood). And whereas training is a giant employer in Hattiesburg, well being care is definitely the highest trade.¹⁹

^{*Metro space inhabitants consists of the town
and surrounding city and suburban areas.
**Median month-to-month lease relies on a two-bedroom residence.}

The Greatest Locations to Dwell within the Jackson Metro Space

Mississippi’s largest metro space surrounds Jackson, the state’s largest metropolis in addition to the capital. Named for President Andrew Jackson, Jackson is known as The Metropolis With Soul for its connections to Mississippi’s well-known blues and jazz music in addition to the Civil Rights Motion. This soulful high quality can be mirrored in most of the eating places and outlets downtown—Southern residence cooking, dwell music and hospitality with a contemporary twist.

As a result of Jackson is the state capital, the Mississippi state authorities is the town’s prime employer, adopted by well being care (due to the College of Mississippi Medical Heart) and manufacturing.²⁶ And like most of the cities on this listing, Jackson can be residence to a school: Jackson State College (and the world-famous Sonic Growth of the South marching band).

However we have now to stage with you . . . Jackson has some points. It could have quite a lot of historical past, tradition and attention-grabbing issues to do, nevertheless it additionally has a fairly critical crime downside. Actually, Jackson is the deadliest metropolis within the nation.²⁷ Town’s infrastructure is crumbling as effectively, with quite a few massive potholes dotting the streets, issues with rubbish assortment, and frequent boil-water alerts, amongst different challenges.

^{*Metro space inhabitants consists of the town
and surrounding city and suburban areas.
**Median month-to-month lease relies on a two-bedroom residence.}

So, we will’t say that Jackson itself is a good place to dwell, however the metropolis is usually a good day journey vacation spot—particularly downtown through the daytime. Nevertheless, there are numerous surrounding cities and suburbs accessible if life brings you to the Jackson metro.

Madison

Situated 13 miles north of Jackson off Interstate 55, Madison provides fairly the distinction to the large metropolis. It’s persistently voted the perfect place to dwell in Mississippi and ranks among the many finest locations to dwell within the U.S.³⁴ Considered one of Madison’s most hanging options is the widespread adoption of a romantic, Southern fashion by most of the companies on the town (even the Taco Bell appears like a mansion!). And with outside sights like Strawberry Patch Park and the Ross Barnett Reservoir, a downtown full of festivals, and occasions just like the annual Scarecrow Cruise and Automotive Present, the neighborhood involves life year-round.

Madison has had a strong manufacturing base for years, with Nissan North America as the largest producer within the space.³⁵ The abundance of reasonably priced land has additionally attracted tech firms like Amazon to construct massive warehouses and knowledge facilities, bringing much more job alternatives to this a part of the state.

^{*Median month-to-month lease relies on all residence varieties.
**Unemployment charge consists of all of Madison County.}

Clinton

Clinton borders the west facet of Jackson, and its official motto is “You Belong Right here.” The Olde Towne district—with its brick streets and domestically owned outlets and eating places—is a pleasant gathering place for occasions just like the weekly Contemporary at 5 Farmers Market and the annual Crimson Brick Roads Music Pageant. Clinton can be a university city, residence to Mississippi School (based in 1826—the oldest faculty within the state).

Clinton pairs that ambiance with a wholesome job sector. Prime industries embody manufacturing and training, with Continental Tire as the biggest employer within the space.⁴⁰ Town can be positioning itself as a possible tech hub—promoting its low electrical energy charges, availability of land for knowledge facilities and cloud infrastructure, and entry to fiber-optic networks.

^{*Median month-to-month lease relies on all residence varieties.
**Unemployment charge consists of all of Hinds County.}

Brandon

East of Jackson in neighboring Rankin County is Brandon—one other lovely Mississippi small city brimming with risk. Whereas positively a suburb, the town is understood for providing a variety of lot sizes. Relying in your price range and way of life, you may select a neighborhood with houses shut collectively or unfold out with loads of area.

These open areas additionally embody seven parks, the right locations for sports activities and neighborhood occasions just like the Canine Days of Summer time. The 250-acre Quarry Park options the Brandon Amphitheater, which hosts concert events all through the summer time months.

Brandon can be one of many fastest-growing cities within the area, fueled by its proximity to Jackson and different industrial facilities within the state. And the world’s prime industries embody well being care, manufacturing and training.⁴⁵

^{*Median month-to-month lease relies on all residence varieties.
**Unemployment charge consists of all of Rankin County.}

The Greatest Locations to Dwell on the Mississippi Gulf Coast

Mississippi’s Gulf Coast—also called the Coastal Mississippi coastal—provides 60-plus miles of white sand seashores. Usually known as a hidden gem, it is not as crowded with vacationers like Florida’s Gulf Coast—incomes it the nickname “the Secret Coast.” So it nonetheless suits the slower tempo of life Mississippi is understood for and comes with a decrease price of residing than many seaside communities.

Seeing the miles of seaside and sunny, laid-back ambiance might need you pondering this area’s important trade is tourism. Whereas it’s true that tourism contributes a large quantity to the native financial system (together with the numerous casinos alongside the shore), oil refining, army bases and shipbuilding are additionally main industries. Actually, Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula is the biggest employer in all of Mississippi!⁵⁰

Whereas Gulf Coast cities have many issues in frequent—like shared industries—every has its personal enjoyable persona and tradition. There’s really one thing for everybody on this shoreline.

^{*Metro space inhabitants consists of all city
and suburban areas within the Gulfport-Biloxi metro space.}

Bay St. Louis

Bay St. Louis is on the western facet of the Mississippi Gulf Coast alongside the Bay of St. Louis. Okay, so it’s not essentially the most artistic title, however Bay St. Louis is a spot full of individuals recognized for his or her spirit of resilience.

Town was hit fairly arduous by Hurricane Katrina again in 2005 however has since bounced again and reinvented itself as a quiet, fashionable however quirky little seaside city filled with domestically owned outlets and eating places. The Previous City district is the place to be for neighborhood occasions like Second Saturday and Pirate Day within the Bay.

^{*Median month-to-month lease relies on all residence varieties.
**Unemployment charge consists of all of Hancock County.}

Cross Christian

Simply throughout the bridge from Bay St. Louis is Cross Christian (pronounced “chris-tee-an”). Known as The Cross by locals, this city has a number of issues in frequent with its neighbor throughout the bay—like its French roots and post-Katrina rebuilding. However life and commerce in The Cross are centered extra across the seafood-catching and -processing trade.⁵⁷ And it has a Buc-ee’s—all the time a plus!

^{*Median month-to-month lease relies on all residence varieties.
**Unemployment charge consists of all of Harrison County.}

Gulfport

On the midpoint of the Mississippi coast, you’ll discover Gulfport. Initially based as a railroad and port city in 1887, Gulfport is now the state’s second-largest metropolis and a significant transport hub on the Gulf. The Port of Gulfport (sure, its title is a bit redundant) can be one of many space’s prime employers.⁶²

Gulfport is a army city as effectively, with the Naval Building Battalion Heart (residence of the Seabees) representing one other massive trade. Town additionally has the biggest airport within the state outdoors of the Jackson metro (Gulfport-Biloxi Worldwide Airport), in addition to a lot of superb sights just like the Lynn Meadows Discovery Heart, the Mississippi Aquarium, and Gulf Islands Waterpark.

^{*Median month-to-month lease relies on a two-bedroom residence.}

Biloxi

The Gulf Coast has an extended historical past of playing—each unlawful and authorized—going again to the 1800s (and till 2005, Mississippi casinos needed to be on the water, not on land). However Biloxi is residence to a lot of the area’s casinos (eight out of the 12), giving the shoreline a glitzy Atlantic Metropolis vibe full of pleasure and dwell leisure.

Biloxi nonetheless has a heaping serving to of that Mississippi tradition, although. Seafood is a giant a part of the town’s heritage (it was the highest trade earlier than gaming and protection) and is widely known at native occasions just like the Crawfish Music Pageant.⁶⁷

^{*Median month-to-month lease relies on a two-bedroom residence.}

Ocean Springs

Throughout Biloxi Bay is Ocean Springs, a seaside city steeped in artwork and creativity. Town is roofed in artwork shows—colourful murals and sculptures pepper the oak-lined downtown streets. The Walter Anderson Museum of Artwork is a nationally acknowledged establishment of high-quality artwork. Even the town’s many domestically owned outlets and eating places like Shearwater Pottery and The TatoNut Store evoke a handcrafted, artsy spirit.

Tourism is a prime trade in Ocean Springs, with artwork festivals that entice guests from everywhere in the world.⁷² However there’s additionally a thriving seafood sector, together with open-air markets the place you should buy instantly from fishing boats!

^{*Median month-to-month lease relies on all residence varieties.
**Unemployment charge consists of all of Jackson County.}

Greatest Locations to Dwell in Mississippi for Households

Planning a transfer to the Hospitality State with children? Lots of Mississippi’s native college districts are rated very excessive, and the state is filled with nice communities which might be centered round households:

Brandon
Clinton
Madison
Ocean Springs
Cross Christian
Tupelo

Greatest Locations to Dwell in Mississippi for Retirees

Mississippi’s gradual tempo of life is a particular perk for retirees seeking to spend their golden years enjoyable on the porch (or at a sandy seaside). And 0 tax on retirement revenue on the state stage doesn’t damage both!⁷⁷ Listed here are a number of retirement-friendly cities to have a look at:

Bay St. Louis
Hattiesburg
Ocean Springs
Oxford

Able to Transfer to Mississippi?

Is all this discuss of Southern hospitality, reasonably priced residing and enterprise alternatives making Mississippi look an increasing number of attractive? Then the following factor you must do is discuss to somebody who is aware of the Hospitality State just like the again of their hand: a neighborhood RamseyTrusted^® actual property agent.

These execs aren’t your common actual property brokers—they’re folks on a mission to search out you the right residence in a neighborhood the place you’ll thrive. Their expertise, professionalism and care have made them a reduce above the remainder, which is why we put the RamseyTrusted defend subsequent to their names!