Mississippi
Mississippi ranks #48 of 50 US states in 2026 with a composite score of 32.7/100 and a D grade. Its strongest category is Affordability (94/100) and its weakest is Education (4/100).
How Does Mississippi Rank For...
Weights vary by lifestyle. Families prioritize education & safety; retirees prioritize fiscal health & healthcare. See methodology →
Top Strengths
Areas to Watch
Category Breakdown
12-Month Composite Trend
IllustrativeCities in Mississippi
| # | City | Grade | Score | Population | Income | Crime | Cost Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 77 | Madison | A+ | 64.7 | 27,775 | $120,918 | 43.2 | 95.8 |
| 236 | Brandon | B+ | 59.2 | 25,352 | $93,073 | 89.6 | — |
| 325 | Olive Branch | B+ | 57.2 | 46,538 | $98,421 | 209.1 | 92.4 |
| 484 | Clinton | B | 53.3 | 27,418 | $70,913 | 109.3 | — |
| 539 | Southaven | C+ | 52.2 | 55,531 | $76,159 | 215.3 | 92.4 |
| 584 | Pearl | C+ | 51.3 | 27,458 | $54,643 | — | — |
| 592 | Oxford | C+ | 51.1 | 26,086 | $59,901 | 144.9 | 87.2 |
| 674 | Ridgeland | C | 48.8 | 24,548 | $63,470 | 362.1 | — |
| 679 | Biloxi | C | 48.7 | 49,011 | $55,958 | 357.4 | 89.3 |
| 698 | Horn Lake | C | 48.4 | 26,622 | $56,847 | 83.2 | 92.4 |
| 703 | Tupelo | C | 48.3 | 37,825 | $66,314 | 443.4 | — |
| 736 | Starkville | C | 47.2 | 25,611 | $39,751 | 70.6 | — |
| 802 | Gulfport | D | 45.2 | 72,824 | $47,564 | 514.5 | 89.3 |
| 827 | Hattiesburg | D | 44.4 | 48,507 | $44,140 | 254.6 | 89.3 |
| 851 | Columbus | D | 43.4 | 23,616 | $40,588 | — | 88.8 |
| 905 | Pascagoula | D | 41.4 | 21,812 | $43,286 | 223.4 | — |
| 911 | Jackson | D | 41.1 | 143,633 | $42,336 | — | 90.7 |
| 931 | Meridian | D | 40.2 | 34,466 | $34,657 | — | — |
| 965 | Vicksburg | F | 37.5 | 20,944 | $42,484 | 659.2 | — |
| 966 | Greenville | F | 37.4 | 28,833 | $36,297 | — | 91.6 |
Best Cities in Mississippi for...
| # | City | Families Score | 🎓 Education | 🛡️ Safety | 🏠 Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Madison | 66.6 | 62.5 | 99.1 | 73.9 |
| 2 | Brandon | 63.6 | 62.5 | 97.5 | 73.8 |
| 3 | Oxford | 60.6 | 63.4 | 84.7 | 81.3 |
| 4 | Olive Branch | 59.3 | 55.9 | 80.9 | 78.1 |
| 5 | Clinton | 58.8 | 51.7 | 91.0 | 75.9 |
More South States
Mississippi Rankings Overview
Mississippi earns an overall grade of D with a composite score of 32.7 out of 100, ranking #48 among all 50 US states. The state's strongest category is Affordability (94/100) while its biggest challenge is Education (4/100).
Economy & Employment in Mississippi
With an unemployment rate of 3.7% (compared to the national average of 3.8%), Mississippi performs above average on economic indicators. The median household income is $52,985, which ranks below the national median of $74,753.
Safety & Crime in Mississippi
Mississippi's violent crime rate of 270 per 100,000 residents places it in the top half of states for public safety.
Health & Education in Mississippi
Mississippi ranks #47 for health outcomes according to the 2025 America's Health Rankings report, and #48 for K-12 education quality based on NAEP scores and graduation rates. Life expectancy in Mississippi is 73.6 years, and the high school graduation rate is 87%.
Taxes & Fiscal Health in Mississippi
Mississippi's total tax burden is 9.06% of personal income, which is above the national average of 8.74%. The top marginal income tax rate is 4.4%. The effective property tax rate is 0.76% and the combined state and local sales tax rate is 7.06%.
Housing & Affordability in Mississippi
The median home price in Mississippi is $253,000, below the national average of $394,620. The cost of living index is 87 (where 100 equals the national average), making it a more affordable state. The price-to-income ratio is 4.8x.
Environment in Mississippi
Mississippi has a median air quality index of 43 (EPA AirData), above the national average. 5% of the state's electricity comes from renewable sources. The FEMA natural disaster risk score is 36.4 (above average risk).
Growth & Migration in Mississippi
Mississippi's population growth rate is +0.1% year over year. The net domestic migration rate is -1.7 per 1,000 residents. 82.4% of households have broadband internet access.
Best Cities in Mississippi
The top-ranked cities in Mississippi based on our composite scoring are Madison, Brandon, and Olive Branch. These cities score highest across economy, safety, health, and affordability metrics among the cities we track in Mississippi.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mississippi's overall ranking?
Mississippi ranks #48 out of 50 states with a composite score of 32.7/100 and a grade of D.
Is Mississippi a good place to live?
Mississippi faces several challenges, scoring 32.7/100 in our composite rankings. Areas such as crime rates and economic indicators trail the national average, though the state offers its own unique qualities and ongoing improvement efforts.
What is the crime rate in Mississippi?
The violent crime rate in Mississippi is 270 per 100,000 residents (2024 FBI data), compared to the national average of 350 per 100,000.
How does Mississippi's economy compare?
Mississippi's median household income is $52,985 with an unemployment rate of 3.7%. The unemployment rate is below the national average of 3.8%, and the median income is below the national median of $74,753.
What are the best cities in Mississippi?
Based on our composite scoring, the top-ranked cities in Mississippi are Madison, Brandon, and Olive Branch.
How does Mississippi rank for families?
Mississippi ranks #44 of 50 states for families with a score of 40.7/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing education, safety, housing.
How does Mississippi rank for retirees?
Mississippi ranks #48 of 50 states for retirees with a score of 44.5/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing health, fiscal, housing.
How does Mississippi rank for remote workers?
Mississippi ranks #45 of 50 states for remote workers with a score of 46.7/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing housing, economy, outdoor.