Moving to Mississippi

Thinking about a move to Mississippi? This guide pulls together what public sources say about cost of living, taxes, the places that show up on "best of" lists, schools and the trade-offs, with a link on every number so you can check it yourself.

By Jared Laster, Living in Mississippi. Updated 2026-10-25.

How to use this guide

People ask us all the time where the best place is for families, for retirees or for someone working remotely. We're real estate agents, so we don't rank neighborhoods or tell you who a place is right for. What we can do is show you what the people who do rank them are saying, and link you straight to it.

Keep in mind that every ranking uses its own formula. The place at the top of a list may not be the best fit for you, and a place that never makes a list might be perfect. That's where we come in. Tell us what matters to you and we'll help you find it.

Get the free 20+ page PDF version of this guide

Cost of living

Mississippi's cost of living index was 87.4 in the second quarter of 2026, where the national average is 100. That made it the 6th least expensive state, according to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center.

In the Jackson metro, based on MLS data, the median sold price in September 2026 was $355,000 in Madison County (115 sales), $290,000 in Rankin County (147 sales) and $165,000 in Hinds County (139 sales). Prices vary a lot from town to town, so our market reports break it down by city. Based on information from MLS United, LLC. for the period October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Taxes

Mississippi doesn't tax the first $10,000 of income. Above that, the rate is 4% for 2026 and 3.75% for 2027, and current law steps it down to 3% by 2030.

If you're retired, AARP's Mississippi tax guide (updated March 18, 2026) says the state doesn't tax Social Security, and pensions, annuities and other retirement income that meet the plan requirements aren't subject to state income tax. Early withdrawals can be taxed, and military retirement pay is exempt.

Property taxes run lower than a lot of states. An owner-occupied home is assessed at 10% of its value, then multiplied by the local millage rate, and homestead exemption lowers the bill on your primary home. Our relocation guide has the details and deadlines.

What the rankings say

Here's where Mississippi towns land on some of the lists people ask us about. Click through to see how each one is built.

Schools

School ratings vary a lot by district, and district lines don't always follow city limits or mailing addresses. For ratings, go to the source. The Mississippi Department of Education grades every district each year (2025-26 results), and Niche publishes its own Mississippi school district rankings with parent and student reviews.

Our area guides list each Jackson-metro district's state grade with a link. Whatever you're looking at, confirm the zoned schools for the exact address before you buy.

Jackson metro area guides

The regions people ask about

Jackson metro: the state capital, the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport, and suburbs like Madison, Ridgeland, Brandon, Flowood and Clinton. This is where we work, and our area guides cover every city and county.

Gulf Coast: Biloxi, Gulfport, Ocean Springs, Pass Christian and Bay St. Louis along the Gulf of Mexico, with beaches, seafood, casinos, Keesler Air Force Base and Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula.

Oxford: a college town built around the University of Mississippi in north Mississippi.

Hattiesburg: home to the University of Southern Mississippi and Forrest General Hospital, with Camp Shelby nearby.

Explore the Jackson metro

Jobs in the Jackson metro

The University of Mississippi Medical Center is the state's only academic medical center and has more than 10,000 employees. State government is based downtown, and Nissan's plant in Canton has about 3,700 employees building the Frontier and Altima.

The trade-offs

Every place has them. Here are the ones people moving to the Jackson metro ask about most.

Common questions

Is Mississippi a cheap state to live in?

According to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, Mississippi's cost of living index was 87.4 in the second quarter of 2026 (national average 100), the 6th lowest in the country.

Does Mississippi tax retirement income?

According to AARP's Mississippi tax guide, the state doesn't tax Social Security, and qualifying pensions, annuities and retirement income aren't subject to state income tax. Early withdrawals can be taxed.

What are the best places to live in Mississippi?

Niche's current Best Places to Live in Mississippi list puts Madison, Flowood, Oxford, Ocean Springs and Clinton in its top five. Rankings use their own formulas, so the best place on a list may not be the best place for you.

Which Mississippi counties rank highest for raising a family?

A 2025 Stacker analysis of Niche data ranked Madison, Lafayette, Forrest, Rankin and Neshoba counties as the top five in Mississippi for raising a family.

Where do people retire in Mississippi?

Niche's Best Places to Retire in Mississippi list puts Bay St. Louis, Flowood, Gulf Hills, Ocean Springs and Pass Christian in its top five.

Sources

Not sure where you fit?

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Call or text (601) 292-6070 · Office (228) 471-5211 · Jared Laster and Charles Lacey, licensed Mississippi real estate agents with Real Broker, LLC.