The 10 Best Places To Live In Mississippi For 2026

The 10 Best Places To Live In Mississippi For 2026

More on Madison: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers

We’re kicking off our tour of the best places to live in Mississippi with Madison, which has held onto the HomeSnacks gold medal for the second year running. Situated just 20 minutes north of Jackson, Madison is a quickly-growing city, and it’s not hard to see why. In no time flat, you can find yourself wandering Jackson’s Fondren District, a hub of artistic expression and the cultural heart of Mississippi.

GreatSchools gave Madison’s public schools an 8.5/10 average rating with both high schools receiving College Success Awards and the city has the 3rd lowest high school dropout rate in Mississippi. Adults here love to learn as well, as evidenced by about two-thirds of the population having a bachelor’s degree, and a further 25% having a master’s degree or higher to boot.

When it comes to making an economy that works for everyone, Madison knows its business. It is Mississippi’s richest city, after all. Unemployment is at a rock-bottom 2.0%, while the poverty rate is the 2nd lowest in the state at 4.8%. Not to mention that Madison has the 4th highest rate of citizens with health insurance statewide at 94.7%.

A by-product of having an awesome city that everyone wants to live in is that it tends to drive prices up. The overall cost of living in Madison is about 25% higher than your average place in Mississippi, with housing costs coming in more than twice as high. Rent in Madison will set you back about $1,853/month, nearly twice the median rent in Mississippi. More than 90% of residents choose to buy, though, and Madison’s homes are the 2nd priciest statewide at $410,431. On the plus side, Madison also has the highest median household income in the state at $119,338/year. All that cash keeps people pretty calm, seeing as Madison’s crime rate is about 60% lower than the national average.

More on Olive Branch: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers

Situated on the Tennessee state line, Olive Branch offers an ideal escape from neighboring Memphis. Thanks to an exodus of middle-class families from Memphis, Olive Branch’s population has spiked by around 15% in the last decade. It’s not hard to see what draws people; an awesome City Park with all the amenities you want, the craft beer-lovers heaven, Mississippi Ale House, and city events like movies on the lawn of Wesson House, the anchor of the Old Towne area of Olive Branch.

Homes in Olive Branch go for around $331,684 and property taxes are under $1,000/year for most residents. The median household income in Olive Branch grew by more than 5% in the last year up to $100,606/year, making the city’s residents the 2nd best-paid populace in Mississippi. The poverty rate ranks as the lowest statewide at 4.6%. And if unwelcome medical surprises come up, Olive Branch has you covered, seeing as the city has the 7th highest rate of health insurance in the state.

As for those moving with a family, Olive Branch has some top-notch schools; GreatSchools awarded a perfect 10/10 to an elementary, middle, and high school in the district, but even if you’re not in the right area to send your child to one of those, the average rating here is still 9/10.

More on Brandon: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers

From Jackson’s northern suburbs we move to the east to reach Brandon, a city of 25,542. Brandon has all the big city amenities while retaining its small-town charm. That’s the sort of atmosphere that delights people from every generation, which is part of the reason why Brandon topped both our lists of the best family cities and the best places to retire in Mississippi. The new Brandon Amphitheatre is always putting on shows that draw massive crowds, while you can visit restaurants, a farmer’s market, and a 60-acre safari park with some 30 exotic animals at the McClain Lodge.

As for the statistical side of things, Brandon ticks all the boxes. The city enjoys the 26th lowest unemployment rate and 6th lowest poverty rate in Mississippi at 5.2% and 8.5% respectively. When people are flush, they don’t have much cause to commit crimes and that plays out in Brandon, where the crime rate is about 65% below the national average and ranks as the 2nd lowest statewide. Even if you do get banged up somehow in Brandon, you won’t be swamped with medical bills, because 95.0% of folks have health insurance, the 3rd highest rate in Mississippi.

Homes in Brandon go for a median price of $284,754, while a typical rental will set you back about $1,382/month. In any case, with such low unemployment and a median income that ranks as the 3rd highest in the state at $92,783/year, you should have no trouble getting the bills paid (and then some) in Brandon.

More on Flowood: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers

We’re returning to the Jackson ‘burbs to visit our 4th best place to call home in The Hospitality State. Flowood’s got plenty to keep outdoorsmen and women happy with amenities like Flowood Nature Park and neighboring Winner’s Circle Park, both huge hits for the whole family. Those looking to catch some fish or kayak will want to push off into Crystal Lake; even without a boat, this spot is prime real estate for picnic goers.

As far as the economy goes, Flowood has all the essentials. The unemployment rate of 4.1% ranks as the 16th lowest in the state. The vast majority of residents have health insurance, so that’s one factor of personal finance that becomes a little less worrisome in Flowood. Having enough money to live a good life shouldn’t be a problem either, seeing as Flowood enjoys the 5th highest median household income in Mississippi at $83,880/year.

All these factors haven’t gone unnoticed by savvy movers, seeing as Flowood’s population has grown by more than 15% since 2010. That’s driven up home prices to the 5th highest statewide at $328,701. Property values in Flowood grew by more than 5% last year, so you can look at settling down here as an investment for your future while enjoying the good life in the present.

More on Clinton: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers

Situated just west of Jackson, Clinton comes in as the 5th best place to live in Mississippi. Home to Mississippi College, Clinton is a vibrant young community that has the essentials down pat and then some. Main Street Clinton is constantly putting on family-friendly events, the antique district is alive and well, and bike tours of Olde Town Clinton are a treat for anyone interested in history or just getting out into all the natural splendor the city has to offer.

If the political affiliation of your neighbors is important to you, know that Clinton ranks among Mississippi’s most liberal cities. It’s also one of the most diverse places in Mississippi, so you’d better believe Clinton is a cultural melting pot. You don’t need to worry about criminal activity in Clinton, because the violent crime rate here ranks as the 6th lowest statewide. It’s also quite easy to score your dream job in Clinton because the unemployment rate is just 3.2%.

As for cost of living, Clinton is about 8% cheaper than the national average, even though housing is 40% more expensive than the statewide average. A typical Clinton home sells for $237,467 and renting will set you back around $1,118/month.

More on Long Beach: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers

Long Beach is a small town on the Gulf Of Mexico about 75 miles east of New Orleans. This town of about 17,009 ranks as the 6th best place to live in Mississippi for 2026. And whoa does it deserve its spot on this list.

Long Beach ranked well across all of our criteria without standing out in any particular area. The cost of living is better than most places on this list and the crime rate is lower than the Mississippi average. Long Beach Industrial Park is a central part of the local economy and a big source of local jobs. The University Of Southern Mississippi also has a campus in town and is a great source of things to do on the weekend.

More on Pass Christian: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers

More on Ridgeland: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers

Located just between Jackson and Madison, Ridgeland comes in as the 8th best place in Mississippi for 2026. Ridgeland is positioned on the Natchez Trace Parkway, a 444-mile recreational road that runs through three states. It makes for quite the scenic drive, but the more adventurous will probably be eager to get out on bikes or hike to a secluded camping spot along the parkway. Even if you’re not that ambitious, Ridgeland Bike Trail and its offshoots provide a fun and healthy way to get around town. As Ridgeland’s tourism page puts it, “there’s an undeniable vitality and energy here that makes it hard to sit still.”

Part of that energy might be attributed to Ridgeland’s young median age of just 35. Don’t let that youth fool you, though, because Ridgeland also has the know-how to make a successful city that puts its residents first. Unemployment and poverty rates both rank near the best in Mississippi, while property values continue to rise. Possibly owing to young people being less likely to settle down, more than half of Ridgeland’s population rents, and the median price on a rental here is $1,336/month. If you do decide to make Ridgeland your permanent home, know that a typical home goes for around $282,705, the 8th costliest in Mississippi.

More on Hernando: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers

We conclude our tour of the best places to live in Mississippi for 2026 with Hernando, a city of 17,949 located about a half-hour south of Memphis, Tennessee. Here you’ll find several bike trails both inside and outside the city. More adventurous cyclists can even make their way to Arkabutla Lake; heck, if you can manage to bring your fishing rod along, you could even enjoy a spot renowned for some of the best bass and crappie fishing in the southeast. If your ride tuckers you out, there are three pristine beaches for swimming, picnicking, or just plain chilling. In Hernando itself, you’ll find the action at historic Courthouse Square and the surrounding areas.

It’s fair to say that Hernando is booming economically. Folks here enjoy the 9th highest median household income in Mississippi at $76,950/year. A typical Hernando home goes for $344,671, the 3rd highest statewide. And it’s not like the 1% are laughing it up while their neighbors struggle to get by here, either. Hernando has the 7th lowest poverty rate and 3rd lowest unemployment rate in the state at 8.8% and 2.5% respectively. And tax dollars find their way to the right places, as evidenced by the 9/10 GreatSchools average rating given to public schools in Hernando.

Word to the wise, though; Hernando’s population has grown by nearly 20% since 2010, making it one of Mississippi’s fastest-growing cities. Property values have also gone up during this time, so the sooner you make the move, the better.

More on Petal: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers

Petal is a Hattiesburg suburb of 11,294 that has grown from a bedroom community to a vibrant city with its own distinct flavor. Outdoor lovers will be delighted to have several miles of mountain bike trails at Petal River Park, while those looking to snag a sweet antique piece will find plenty to love at The Mustard Seed Flea Market.

Petal has the distinction of being Mississippi’s safest city, with a crime rate nearly 80% below the national average. It’s also the place with the 12th lowest level of poverty in Mississippi. Petal High School received a National Blue Ribbon award, GreatSchools gave the local elementary, middle, and high school a 9/10 rating, and Petal’s school district consistently outperforms the statewide average in test proficiency by double digits.

If you’re wondering how much all these great features are going to cost you, fear not, because Petal has the lowest cost of living of any city on this list. Rent in Petal goes for a median price of $1,047/month, about a 30% as much as the average rent in Mississippi. You also won’t find a place with cheaper homes than Petal on this list, with a typical home here going for around $223,365. Don’t worry about how to pay for housing, because Petal has the 10th highest median household income in Mississippi at $74,750/year.

Methodology: How We Calculated The Best Cities To Live In Mississippi

Now that we had our set of the best possible cities, it was time to rank them using Saturday Night Science.

We ranked each place in Mississippi across a number of criteria from one to 60, with one being the best.

We then took the average rank across all criteria, crowning the city posting the lowest overall score, the “Best Place To Live In Mississippi.”

The criteria we looked to determine the best places were:

• Median Home Values
• Median Income
• Population Density (Higher is better)
• Unemployment Rate
• Commute Time
• Crime
• Education Levels
• Health Insurance Coverage
• Poverty rates

Sources of criteria include the New Census Data, FBI Crime Data, and Zillow. We updated this article for 2026. This report is our eleventh time ranking Mississippi’s best places to live.

If your city or town isn’t among the top 10, jump down to the bottom of the post to see a detailed chart of the best places in Mississippi. Otherwise, buckle up for a ride down good living lane with Madison at the end of the cul-de-sac.

Best Places To Live In Mississippi Table