Moving to Mississippi in 2023? Complete Moving Guide

This is a complete guide for Moving to Mississippi.
Get all the information you need to know about moving to Mississippi

Are you mulling over moving to Mississippi?

If you’ll like to live in a state where you can enjoy the best of both worlds; rural life and access to big city amenities, moving to Mississippi is right for you.

Mississippi offers lots of entertainment options along with renowned restaurants, easier access to fresh fruits and vegetables and you’ll get the chance to live among some of the friendliest people in the country.

The state’s low cost of living, low cost of education, and low housing costs make it one of the best places for anyone seeking to enjoy big city life while living rurally. All of that makes moving to Mississippi such a great idea.

If you’re considering moving to Mississippi and wondering if the state is right for you or not, this guide contains all the key details you need to know about the state to make the right decision.

Let’s jump right in!

Demographics

Mississippi Demographics

A quick look at the population and other demographics of Mississippi.

Male vs Female Population of Mississippi 2021

Male vs Female Population by Age Groups in Mississippi 2021

Population distribution by Ethnicity in Mississippi 2021

facts of Mississippi

Quick facts to know before moving to Mississippi

  • Mississippi’s cost of living is lower than the national average
  • The median home costs in Mississippi are lower than the U.S. average
  • Mississippi’s average one-way commute time is shorter than the U.S. average
  • Property tax in Mississippi is 0.79% average effective rate
  • Mississippi is the 31st most populous state in the U.S.
  • Violent crime rates in Mississippi are currently lower than the national average

What’s the population of Mississippi?

The population of Mississippi is 2,966,407 people. Mississippi stretches across 48,430 square miles making it the 32nd largest state in the country. Since you’re mulling over moving to Mississippi, here’s a breakdown of the state’s population:

  • Mississippi’s population density is rated the 32nd in the country
  • Mississippi has the 4th largest rural population in the U.S.
  • Jackson is the only city in Mississippi with over 100,000 people
  • The median age of the Mississippi population is 36.7 years of age
  • Mississippi’s gender ratio is split at 48.5% male and 51.5% female

How fast can you commute to Mississippi?

Mississippi’s average one-way commute time takes 24.4 minutes. The national average one-way commute time is 26.4 minutes. That means the average one-way commute time in Mississippi is shorter than the U.S. average.

Here’s how people in Mississippi commute to work:

  • Around 85.1% of the Mississippi population drive their own car alone
  • About 9.4% of the Mississippi population carpool with others
  • Up to 2.1% of the Mississippi population work from home
  • Around 0.3% of the Mississippi population take mass transit

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How is the weather like in Mississippi?

The weather is most likely one of your top priorities if you’re mulling over moving to Mississippi. To make it easier to compare the state’s weather to where you’re right now, here are the key metrics of Mississippi’s weather:

  • July summer high in Mississippi is around 91 degrees
  • Mississippi January winter low is around 33 degrees
  • Mississippi averages 57 inches of rain a year
  • Mississippi averages 1 inch of snow a year
moving to mississippi

Top 10 Reasons to move to Mississippi

Why should you consider moving to Mississippi? People are moving to Mississippi for several reasons.

We’ve made a list of the top ten reasons why people are moving to the state since you’re considering moving to Mississippi:

  • Low cost of education:

    In Mississippi, the cost of education for an academic year is $5,041, which is much lower than the national average of $6,542.

  • Low cost of living:

    Mississippi has the lowest cost of living among the 50 states in the US with the cost of living index of 84.8. The average health care costs for a single adult in the state total $4,217 per year, compared to the national average of $4,266.Similarly, child care costs $3,723 and food costs $3,202 per adult per annum, both much lower than the national average.

  • Low housing costs:

    The median home value in Mississippi $114,500 while the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment in the state is $795 per month.

  • You wouldn’t have to put up with traffic:

    Mississippi has the lowest share of rush-hour traffic congestion at 17 percent, which is approximately five times lower than California.

  • Plenty of wide-open areas:

    The state has six national forests offering excellent outdoor recreational opportunities in Mississippi. 1.2 million acres of forest land provide a diversity of terrain, diverse ecosystems, numerous lakes, rivers, and streams. Approximately 265 miles of non-motorized hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails challenge visitors and provide great scenery. In addition, the state also has 90 miles of designated motorized trails open to off-highway vehicles.

  • You’ll enjoy delicious food:

    Mississippi is famous for its gastronomy. From delicious local seafood to concoctions you’ll only find in the state, you must taste the cuisines here that range from Mississippi mud pie to corn bed, pecan pie, Cajun fried pecans, and sweet potato pie.

  • Live rurally while enjoying a city life:

    While you stay in big cities in Mississippi, do not miss the opportunities to delve deep into the past of the state, rich in Native American, Spanish, and French history, that are still visible in its rural areas and small towns, namely Oxford, Bay of St, Louis, Corinth, Ocean Springs, Vicksburg, and Natchez.

  • Friendly neighbors:

    While moving to Mississippi, the great fortune comes in the shape of the hospitality of Mississippians. The locals are highly cordial and are always willing to lend you a helping hand. It is not rare that you will find people reaching to help you fix things at home.

  • A sense of community:

    There is a sense of community among Mississippians. They are highly patriotic and people you meet here will be proud of the country and respect men and women who serve it. In addition, most people here attend churches and regularly take part in community services.

  • Mississippi is rich in history:

    Mississippi still has traces of its rich historic past, filled with Native American, Spanish, and French culture. You can see them preserved at some of the best museums, namely Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, Jackson, Museum of Mississippi History, Jackson, and The Mississippi Freedom Trail and Blues Trail.

mississippi pros and cons

Pros and cons of Living in Mississippi

One of the easiest ways to figure out if moving to Mississippi is right for you or not is to consider the pros and cons of living in the state.

Here are the key pros and cons of living in the Magnolia State since you’re considering moving to Mississippi:

Pros of living in Mississippi Cons of living in Mississippi
Enjoy some of the best southern hospitalityDull economy
Low population densityPoor healthcare system
Warm weatherLack of diversity
Lots of food optionsHarsh weather
Low cost of livingLow-quality education
Vast fertile lands for farmingHigh crime rates
Calm, slow-paced lifestyleFewer job opportunities
Strong traditionsHurricanes and tornadoes
Low cost of higher education
place in mississippi to live

Best Places to Live in Mississippi

If you’re moving to Mississippi, you’ll most likely be interested in living in some of the best places in the state. To make it easier for you to streamline your house-hunting efforts, we’ve made a list of the top ten best places to live in the state if you’re moving to Mississippi:

Rank City Population Unemployment Rate Home Value
1Madison25,5922.0%$261,900
2Brandon23,9302.5%$181,900
3Ridgeland24,2694.5%$186,500
4Ocean Springs17,7295.8%$174,000
5Byram11,5782.2%$141,700
6Hernando15,9422.8%$197,100
7Southaven54,1524.6%$153,200
8Olive Branch37,4614.3%$175,600
9Petal10,5845.7%$141,600
10Diamondhead8,1036.6%$173,200
cost of living in mississippi

Cost of Living in Mississippi

The cost of living in Mississippi is rated 81.1. The national average is 100.

That means the average cost of living in Mississippi is lower than the United States average. This is most likely one of the key things to consider if you’re moving to Mississippi.

Check out how the cost of living in the state stack up to the United States average:
Cost of Living Mississippi United States
Overall81.1100
Grocery94.9100
Health101.4100
Housing55.6100
Median Home Cost$128,600$231,200
Utilities97.1100
Transportation83.4100
Miscellaneous93.1100

Median House Price in Mississippi vs USA 2021

Median Rent Price in Mississippi vs USA 2021

Cost of Living by Categories in Mississippi vs USA 2021

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Mississippi housing market info

Mississippi’s median home cost is $128,600. Over the past 10 years, homes in Mississippi have appreciated by 11.1%. Currently, home appreciation in the state has grown by 5.8%. About 72.5% of the state’s population are homeowners.

Median home rental cost in Mississippi

Renting a home or apartment could be your preferred housing option if you’re moving to Mississippi. Around 26.4% of the state’s population are renters while 2.8% of homes and apartments in Mississippi are available to rent.

So, what exactly should you expect? Below is a breakdown of the average cost of renting a home in the state if you’re moving to Mississippi:

  • The average cost of a studio apartment in Mississippi is $554
  • The average cost o1-bedroom home or apartment in Mississippi is $612
  • The average cost of a 2-bedroom home or apartment in Mississippi is $746
  • The average cost of a 3-bedroom home or apartment in Mississippi is $979
  • The average cost of a 4-bedroom home or apartment in Mississippi is $1,125
jobs in mississippi

How is the job market in Mississippi?

Mississippi’s job market is gradually gaining momentum. Over the past year, the number of jobs in the state has grown by 0.4%. Currently, the unemployment rate in Mississippi is 6.3%. The national average is 6.0%.

Since you’re considering moving to Mississippi, check out the table below showing key stats about the state’s job market:

Employment Information Mississippi United States
The income per Cap$22,500$31,177
Household Income$42,009$57,652
Unemployment Rate6.36.0
Recent Job Growth-4.29%-6.18%
Future Job Growth29.31%33.51%

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What’s the average pay in Mississippi?

If you’re considering getting a new job after moving to Mississippi, you’ll most likely be interested in the average pay in the state. Here’s a simple breakdown of the average pay in the state since you’re considering moving to Mississippi:

  • The average annual pay for the average job in Mississippi is $62,497
  • The average hourly pay for the average job in Mississippi is $30.05
  • The average weekly pay for the average job in Mississippi is $1,202
  • The average monthly pay for the average job in Mississippi is $5,208

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Top career options in Mississippi

Moving to Mississippi gives you the opportunity to work for some of the highest-paying companies in the state. Here are the top career options in the Magnolia state if you’re moving to Mississippi:

Rank Job Title AVERAGE SALARY ENTRY LEVEL SALARY # OF PEOPLE
1Surgeons, Except Ophthalmologists$282,660$162,710190
2General Internal Medicine Physicians$229,520$70,400280
3Psychiatrists$224,590$60,76070
4Family Medicine Physicians$208,610$63,750870
5Pediatricians, General$202,290$114,860100
6Physicians, All Other; And Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric$184,170$46,7302,180
7Podiatrists$178,740$75,23030
8Nurse Anesthetists$174,540$128,400270
9Dentists, General$168,250$88,110580
10Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary$162,670$49,4601,430

Top industries in Mississippi

If you’re moving to Mississippi, you’d be interested in the various industries that are propelling the state’s economy. So, we’ve made a list of the largest economy in the state to give you an idea of what to expect if you’re moving to Mississippi:

  • Advanced manufacturing
  • Aerospace
  • Agribusiness
  • Automotive
  • Energy
  • Healthcare
  • Shipbuilding
  • Tourism and film
  • Distribution and warehousing
  • Information technology

Largest employers in Mississippi

Chances are that you may be interested in working for some of the largest companies after moving to Mississippi. Here the ten largest companies in the Magnolia state if you’re moving to Mississippi:

Rank Company City Employees
1Sanderson FarmsLaurel14,000
2AlleyRidgeland8,200
3Greek Orthodox Church Of HolyBiloxi7,500
4Island View Casino ResortGulfport7,300
5The Yates CompaniesPhiladelphia7,000
6Mississippi State UniversityMississippi State6,250
7University of Mississippi Medical CenterJackson5,750
8North Mississippi Medical CenterTupelo5,618
9J D Williams Library U Of MissUniversity4,750
10Sims Metal Management MississippiSherman4,561
taxes in mississippi

Mississippi Tax Info

Moving to Mississippi could mean paying more or less in taxes depending on where you’re moving from.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the taxes in the Magnolia State since you’re considering moving to Mississippi:

  • Mississippi’s income tax is 0% - 5%
  • Mississippi’s sales tax is 7% - 8%
  • Property tax in Mississippi is 0.79% average effective rate
  • Mississippi gas tax is 18 cents per gallon of regular diesel and gasoline
things to know about mississippi

Best things to do in Mississippi

Moving to Mississippi gives you the opportunity to participate in several exciting activities and visit various remarkable attractions.

Since you’re considering moving to Mississippi, we’ve made a list of the best things to do in the state. Check out the list below:

  • Tour the Grammy Museum Mississippi

    An interactive museum in Cleveland, the Grammy Museum aims to educate Mississippians about the history and cultural significance of American music. It hosts multiple events including music sessions and award functions.

  • Visit the Natchez Trace Parkway

    The 444-mile Natchez Trace Parkway promises a scenic drive through three states. It roughly follows the "Old Natchez Trace" a historic travel corridor used by American Indians, "Kaintucks," European settlers, slave traders, soldiers, and future presidents.

  • Explore the Jackson Zoological Park

    Situated at the 110-acre Livingston Park, Jackson Zoological Park exhibits over 250 animals from 120 species. The zoo has several areas dedicated to specific places on Earth, including the African Rainforest, African Savannah, Asian Garden, and Wilderness Mississippi.

  • Catch a glimpse of the Gulf Islands National Seashore

    The Mississippi Gulf Coast is known for its gorgeous shoreline and white-sand beaches. There are many historic sites, wildlife sanctuaries, and islands accessible only by boat. The seashore also has nature trails.

  • Tour the USS Cairo Museum at Vicksburg National Military Park

    The 13-gun ironclad USS Cairo was one of the boats that helped Union forces overcome Confederate opposition during the American Civil War. Later sunk in the Yazoo River by an electronically detonated torpedo just seven miles north of Vicksburg, USS Cairo is now a museum displaying various items discovered along with the boat.

  • Visit the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center

    A museum promoting arts, music, and education, the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center have an extensive collection of artifacts owned by King, the famous American musician, and display exhibits about his life and the lives of other musicians of the delta region.

  • Visit the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science

    The largest museum in Mississippi features aquariums, habitat exhibits, and nature trails specializing in the flora and fauna of the state. There are more than a million specimens of fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds, mammals, invertebrates, plants, and fossils on display.

  • Visit Elvis Presley Birthplace & Museum

    The birth home of Elvis Presley, the legendary American musician, is now a museum. There is a chapel and a church where the Presley family prayed.

  • Catch a glimpse of the Old Capitol Museum

    The Old Capitol Museum at Jackson was once the statehouse, from 1839 to 1903 and is recognized for its Greek Revival architecture. The building is a National Historic Landmark and is now a fee museum depicting the history of Mississippi.

  • Visit Ocean Springs

    The historic coastal town, Ocean Springs boasts a rich history, artistic flair, lush landscape, and small-town appeal. There are more than 200 independent shops, galleries, and restaurants at Ocean springs and the nightlife is also highly vibrant.

  • Explore the Mississippi Petrified Forest

    The privately-owned Petrified Forest is open to the public. There is a natural trail through a prehistoric forest of maple, fir, palm, and other types of trees that turned to stone many millions of years ago.

How safe is Mississippi?

Safety is always one of the key things to consider before moving to any state. Since you’re considering moving to Mississippi, you’ll most likely be interested in the state’s level of safety. Here are key stats of the state’s crime rates:

  • Violent crime in Mississippi is 17.9. The national average is 22.7
  • Property crime in Mississippi is 40.2. The national average is 35.4
  • Mississippi has the fourteenth-lowest violent crime rate in the U.S.
  • Mississippi has the seventeenth-highest property crime rate in the U.S.

Tip: While moving the home, safety of your belongings is the priority and you need a trustworthy mover at your side. Know the top-rated moving companies in Mississippi.

10 Safest Cities in Mississippi

Since you’re considering moving to Mississippi, we’ve made a list of the 10 safest cities in the Magnolia State. You’ll most likely be interested in shopping for homes in the safest cities if you’re moving to Mississippi.

Rank City Population Violent Crimes Per 100k Property Crimes Per 100k
1Petal, MS10,6560553
2Madison, MS25,83269932
3Clinton, MS25,137592,140
4Brandon, MS24,283123765
5Pass Christian, MS6,082982,285
6Horn Lake, MS27,2381022,386
7Oxford, MS24,369652,732
8Starkville, MS25,5591681,604
9Byram, MS11,6921532,420
10Booneville, MS8,6882761,427
schools in mississippi

Best Schools & Universities in Mississippi

Mississippi is home to several top-quality schools from elementary to higher institutions.

Moving to Mississippi means getting the chance to attend some of the best schools in the Magnolia State. We’ve made a list of the best universities, colleges, elementary, middle, and high schools in the state to help you get started:

Best Elementary Schools in Mississippi

  • East Hancock Elementary School
    Hancock Co School District, Public, PK-5 & Ungraded | 698 students, Rating: 10/10

  • Madison Avenue Upper Elementary
    Madison Co School District, Public, 3-5 & Ungraded | 478 students, Rating: 10/10

  • Eastside Elementary
    Clinton Public School District, Public, 4-5 & Ungraded | 905 students, Rating: 10/10

  • Northshore Elementary
    Rankin Co School District, Public, K-6 & Ungraded | 689 students, Rating: 10/10

  • Bayou View Elementary School
    Gulfport School District, Public, K-5 & Ungraded | 682 students, Rating: 10/10

Best Middle Schools in Mississippi

  • Hernando Middle School
    Desoto Co School District, Public, 6-8 & Ungraded | 1007 students, Rating: 10/10

  • Bailey Middle Apac School
    Jackson Public School District, Public, 6-8 | 365 students, Rating: 10/10

  • North Woolmarket Elementary and Mid
    Harrison Co School District, Public, K-8 | 941 students, Rating: 10/10

  • Desoto Central Middle School
    Desoto Co School District, Public, 6-8 & Ungraded | 1345 students, Rating: 10/10

  • Lovett Elementary School
    Clinton Public School District, Public, 6 & Ungraded | 443 students, Rating: 10/10

Best High Schools in Mississippi

  • Middle School School for Math and Science
    MS School for Math and Science, Public, 11-12 | 238 students, Rating: 10/10

  • Lewisburg High School
    Desoto Co School District, Public, 9-12 & Ungraded | 1115 students, Rating: 10/10

  • Desoto Central High School
    Desoto Co School District, Public, 9-12 & Ungraded | 1763 students, Rating: 10/10

  • Corinth High School
    Corinth School District, Public, 9-12 & Ungraded | 602 students, Rating: 10/10

  • Hernando High School
    Desoto Co School District, Public, 9-12 & Ungraded | 1266 students, Rating: 10/10

Top Best Colleges in Mississippi

  • Millsaps College - Jackson, MS

  • Mississippi Valley State University - Itta Bena, MS

  • Mississippi State University - Mississippi State, MS

  • University of Mississippi - University, MS

  • Rust College - Holly Springs, MS

  • William Carey University - Hattiesburg, MS

  • Tougaloo College - Tougaloo, MS

  • University of Southern Mississippi - Hattiesburg, MS

  • Mississippi College - Clinton, MS

  • Jackson State University - Jackson, MS

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