Best places to live in Mississippi

An ideal town or neighborhood looks different for everyone.

Those who can’t get enough of the outdoors may prioritize proximity to trails, lakes, and beaches, while parents are looking for places with top-ranked schools for their children. Culture lovers might want to live in a city with museums and art walks, whereas sports fans look for professional or college sports teams nearby.

Stacker compiled a list of the best places to live in Mississippi using data from Niche. Niche ranks places to live based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, health care, recreation, and weather.

On the list, there’s a robust mix of offerings from great schools and nightlife to high walkability and public parks. Some areas have enjoyed rapid growth thanks to new businesses moving to the area, while others offer glimpses into area history with well-preserved architecture and museums.

Keep reading to see if your hometown made the list.

CORRECTION: A previously published version of this piece, in some cases, incorrectly listed private schools as public schools.

YAKOBCHUK VIACHESLAV // Shutterstock

#8. Brandon, Mississippi

– Overall Rank: 2,254
– Population: 25,142
– Median household income: $89,051
– Median home value: $242,700 (81% own)
– Median rent: $1,110 (19% rent)
– Top public schools: Brandon Elementary School (grade A), Brandon Middle School (grade A), StoneBridge Elementary School (grade A minus)
– Top private schools: St. Andrew’s Episcopal School (grade A+), Jackson Preparatory School (grade A+), Jackson Academy (grade A)

Jacek Chabraszewski // Shutterstock

#7. Clinton, Mississippi

– Overall Rank: 1,671
– Population: 27,668
– Median household income: $71,315
– Median home value: $204,100 (70% own)
– Median rent: $1,179 (30% rent)
– Top public schools: Clinton Junior High School (grade A+), Northside Elementary School (grade A+), Eastside Elementary School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: St. Andrew’s Episcopal School (grade A+), Jackson Preparatory School (grade A+), Jackson Academy (grade A)

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#6. Flowood, Mississippi

– Overall Rank: 641
– Population: 10,204
– Median household income: $89,144
– Median home value: $257,900 (53% own)
– Median rent: $1,398 (47% rent)
– Top public schools: Northwest Rankin Middle School (grade A), Northwest Rankin Elementary School (grade A), Flowood Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools: St. Andrew’s Episcopal School (grade A+), Jackson Preparatory School (grade A+), Jackson Academy (grade A)

Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#5. Madison, Mississippi

– Overall Rank: 82
– Population: 27,595
– Median household income: $124,575
– Median home value: $312,800 (93% own)
– Median rent: $1,744 (7% rent)
– Top public schools: Madison Middle School (grade A), Madison Station Elementary School (grade A), Madison Avenue Upper Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools: St. Andrew’s Episcopal School (grade A+), Jackson Preparatory School (grade A+), Jackson Academy (grade A)

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#4. Ridgeland, Mississippi

– Overall Rank: 1,374
– Population: 24,618
– Median household income: $66,171
– Median home value: $240,700 (49% own)
– Median rent: $1,185 (51% rent)
– Top public schools: Madison Middle School (grade A), Madison Station Elementary School (grade A), Madison Avenue Upper Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools: St. Andrew’s Episcopal School (grade A+), Jackson Preparatory School (grade A+), Jackson Academy (grade A)

Laura Beach // Shutterstock

#3. Tupelo, Mississippi

– Overall Rank: 2,006
– Population: data not available
– Median household income: data not available
– Median home value: data not available (data not available own)
– Median rent: data not available (data not available rent)
– Top public schools:
– Top private schools:

Mila Supinskaya Glashchenko // Shutterstock

#2. Oxford, Mississippi

– Overall Rank: 1,507
– Population: 25,713
– Median household income: $56,784
– Median home value: $328,700 (43% own)
– Median rent: $1,096 (57% rent)
– Top public schools: Central Elementary School (grade A), Oxford Middle School (grade A), Oxford Intermediate School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Regents School of Oxford (grade B minus), Willie Price Lab School (grade unavailable)

Robert Kneschke // Shutterstock

#1. Ocean Springs, Mississippi

– Overall Rank: 1,309
– Population: 18,417
– Median household income: $72,500
– Median home value: $213,400 (70% own)
– Median rent: $1,223 (30% rent)
– Top public schools: Biloxi Upper Elementary (grade A+), Ocean Springs Middle School (grade A), Pecan Park Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Christian Collegiate Academy (grade A minus), Resurrection Catholic School – High School Campus (grade B), St. James Catholic School (grade unavailable)

This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 42 states.