Considered the birthplace of blues music, Mississippi is a beautiful state deeply in touch with its historical and cultural heritage. From the captivating landscapes of the Mississippi Delta to the sun-kissed beaches of the Gulf Shores, the Magnolia State offers undeniable beauty. That being said, the best places to live in Mississippi support various lifestyles from peaceful coastal retreats to fast-paced, vibrant city life.
Home to the mighty Mississippi River, this state is where Southern hospitality meets natural beauty. For newcomers, this is a sincere advantage as a new study found that getting to know your neighbors can help you live longer. With about 27 percent of people aged 60 or older living alone in the U.S., enhancing neighborhood unity is a great way to reduce early death. With its natural Southern charm, you are sure to be living long, comfortable lives together with those friendly neighbors in Mississippi.
Mississippi is also known for its rich musical heritage, particularly in the realm of blues music. The state has been home to legendary musicians like B.B. King, Muddy Waters, and Elvis Presley, who all made significant contributions to the genre. Additionally, Mississippi is renowned for its literary legacy, producing influential authors such as William Faulkner and Richard Wright, who captured the essence of Southern life in their works.
Where strangers become friends, and friends become family, Mississippi offers a friendly community surrounded by unforgettable adventure. To discover the best places to live in Mississippi, we’ve made it easy for you by compiling the top five communities below. Don’t see your favorite city? Don’t worry, drop us a comment and let us know!
The List: Best Places to Live in Mississippi, According to Experts
1. Hattiesburg
“Nicknamed The Hub City, Hattiesburg is the cultural, shopping, and healthcare apex for southern Mississippi residents,” reports Liveability. From the rustic charm of Historic Downtown Hattiesburg to taking leisurely strolls through the beautiful grounds of The University of Southern Mississippi and William Carey University, this place has much to offer newcomers.
“Hattiesburg is a small yet lively college town with affordable housing, walkable neighborhoods, a respected art scene, and a diverse economy,” writes Monster. With plenty of job opportunities across manufacturing, distribution, education, and government sectors, “Hattiesburg is one of the best places to live in Mississippi for young professionals and those looking to be a part of a flourishing, tight-knit community.”
Despite being home to 11 colleges, Hattiesburg is known as a retirement haven. However, “a retirement community isn’t normally the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of Hattiesburg,” says Only In Your State. Dubbed one of the best cities to retire, Hattiesburg’s affordability makes it a great option for young and old alike while its “healthcare facilities, housing, and cultural opportunities” continue to uphold rigorous standards making it a great place to raise a family or retire.
2. Biloxi
“Located along the scenic Gulf of Mexico is the beautiful city of Biloxi,” states Nomad Lawyer. Offering unique history, gaming entertainment, and coastal beauty, Biloxi is a melting pot of culture and offers “excellent hotels, restaurants, and casinos that create a lively entertainment scene.” Additional hidden gems of Biloxi include Beauvoir, the Biloxi Lighthouse, and the Walter Anderson Museum of Art.
Livability describes “Biloxi as an economy largely based on seafood, tourism, and the gaming industry with qualities of life including Virginia College and Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport.” With panoramic views of white sandy shores that stretch far across the coastline, “Biloxi is great sport fishing for mackerel, snapper, and grouper” and embodies the beauty and culture of the Gulf Coast.
“If you love coastal living, Biloxi is one of the best places to live in Mississippi,” mentions Monster. As a waterfront city, Biloxi offers “a high quality of life with many historical, cultural, and marine attractions.” From immersing yourself in the state’s historic maritime events to watching and hearing the waves touch the shoreline, Biloxi is one of the best places to live in Mississippi.
3. Ocean Springs
“From the oak-lined avenues on Main Street to the soft sand of Front Beach, there’s something for everyone in Ocean Springs,” reports Home Snacks. “Ocean Springs has the second lowest high school dropout rate in Mississippi” making it a great place to raise a family. With median home values beneath the national average and “rent averaging $1,080 per month,” Ocean Springs has a below-average cost of living.
Livability writes that “Ocean Springs is an upscale community with a reputation for its cultural art venues.” Renowned for its quaint shops, local eateries, and boutiques, Ocean Springs is home to “more than 100 independent restaurants” and is known for its outstanding health care. With lovely sandy beaches that take you near Biloxi and a culture deeply embedded with art, Ocean Springs has much to offer nearby families and art lovers.
Radiating a strong sense of Southern hospitality, Ocean Springs is rated as one of the best places to live in Mississippi while “The Gulf Islands National Seashore is the pride and joy of the locals who live here,” says The Crazy Tourist. Home to just 17,500 people, the “beach is never too overcrowded” while median home values are “very, very good considering its proximity to the sea.”
4. Madison
“If you want to constantly enjoy the outdoors, Madison is one of the best options,” states Placeaholic. Blending together small-town charm with modern amenities, Madison offers a small and welcoming community with access to “many parks, trails, and bodies of water.” Offering a high quality of life, Madison leaves no stones unturned.
The Crazy Tourist says, “Madison is not only one of the best places to live in Mississippi but also the best place to buy property and raise a family too.” Home to 25,160 people, Madison is “a more reasonably affluent area with 92 percent of people living in owned homes.” Offering picturesque landscapes and a vibrant community atmosphere with many amenities, residents of Madison enjoy a peaceful, family-friendly lifestyle.
For the second straight year, Home Snacks has rated “Madison as the best place to live in Mississippi.” With unemployment “at a rock-bottom rate of 2.5 percent and the poverty rate the lowest in the state,” Madison boasts a bustling economy while the state has the “highest rate of citizens with health insurance at 96.5 percent.” Located just 20 minutes north of Jackson, Madison is a flourishing city that caters to diverse tastes and preferences.
5. Oxford
“Dubbed the Cultural Mecca of the South, Oxford has a total population of around 26,000 people and is one of the fastest growing towns in the state,” writes Placeaholic. Offering a plethora of cultural and intellectual events, Oxford reflects a strong sense of community which is evident through its “robust literary history, incredible music scene, museums, and art galleries.”
“Oxford is one of the best places to live in Mississippi,” claims The Crazy Tourist. Popular with millennials, Oxford’s average monthly rent is only $807, meaning “people can start to save for properties.” In addition to an affordable cost of living, “the crime statistics in the area are low” making Oxford an ideal place to start and raise a family.
Home to Ole Miss, Oxford “has a diverse cultural scene, especially when it comes to music,” says HomeIA. With education highly valued in Oxford, schools are a success with “local students going on to two-and-four-year degrees at far higher rates than the rest of Mississippi.” As a quaint and historic town, Oxford “has lots of character, beautiful architecture, and plenty of great dining establishments.”
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Sources:
- Monster
- Livability
- Home IA
- Placeacholic
- Home Snacks
- NomadLawyer
- The Crazy Tourist
- Only In Your State
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations.
Yes, there are sandy beaches….with no surf and no shells. Few amenities like restrooms, water, concessions.
Being from Tupelo I’ve got to say Tupelo is one of the best places to live in Mississippi. I had a wonderful childhood growing up in Tupelo. Going to school was one of my favorite things to do as a kid. Riding bikes and swimming at a neibors pool or playing in the pastures and woods around the outskirts of town, or just playing football with my friends are just a few things I loved about growing up in Tupelo. The crime rate is very low and Church is still a family activity common among the residents living there. I could go on and on. I do agree that Oxford is a great place to live, however for the past several years the university has had an identity crisis confusing those who are unable to let the past be passed. Our culture be it good or bad is what shaped our present and the present I believe most will agree is full of wonderful opportunities for our children to be positive participants in a world gone mad. Life there is still slow and you can still get a cool glass of sweet tea from a stranger because that’s how we roll in the hospitality state!
Who funded or is behind this article? And who put all the unrelated links in it?
You’ve written that the Walter Anderson Museum of Art is in Biloxi, when it’s actually in Ocean Springs.