Best Cities for Families in Mississippi
Mississippi ranks #31 of 50 for families, with a families score of 61.9. Madison is its best city for families at 69.3.
- Mississippi, all states
- #31 of 50
- Population
- 27,946
Mississippi for Families: The Full Picture
Mississippi ranks #31 out of 50 for families, placing it in the lower third of states. That doesn't mean families can't thrive here — the state scores well in affordability (92/100) — but Mississippi's overall profile suggests families should weigh the tradeoffs carefully, particularly around outdoor access and livability.
Education is the single most important factor for families choosing where to live, and Mississippi shows mixed results on this front. The state's high school graduation rate stands at 88.9%, roughly in line with national norms. School quality has been a consistent strength, reflected in an education score of 63/100. Center-based infant care costs $6,492 a year, below the 50-state average, easing the financial burden on young families.
Safety is the other pillar of family-friendly living. Mississippi performs reasonably well, with a violent crime rate below the 50-state average at 226.9 incidents per 100,000 residents (FBI estimate). The low cost of living (index: 87) means family budgets stretch further here than in most states, leaving more room for savings, activities, and college funds.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Families
| # City | Grade | Families score | Overall | Education | Safety | Affordability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Madison | A+ | 69.3 | 68.8 | 64 | 100 | 67 | 27,946 |
| 2Brandon | A | 66.9 | 63.2 | 62 | 100 | 76 | 25,542 |
| 3Oxford | B | 64.3 | 57.3 | 63 | 89 | 78 | 26,411 |
| 4Pearl | B+ | 63.8 | 58.9 | 63 | 97 | 82 | 27,737 |
| 5Olive Branch | B+ | 62.4 | 60.3 | 56 | 88 | 68 | 47,019 |
| 6Clinton | B | 62.4 | 57.8 | 52 | 94 | 81 | 27,195 |
| 7Southaven | B | 61.1 | 56.0 | 55 | 78 | 75 | 56,226 |
| 8Tupelo | C+ | 61.1 | 55.5 | 63 | 65 | 87 | 37,791 |
| 9Starkville | C | 60.8 | 52.0 | 55 | 90 | 84 | 25,721 |
| 10Ridgeland | C+ | 59.9 | 52.6 | 65 | 77 | 76 | 24,587 |
| 11Horn Lake | C | 58.8 | 50.6 | 58 | 91 | 78 | 26,647 |
| 12Hattiesburg | C | 57.1 | 49.3 | 65 | 65 | 86 | 48,619 |
| 13Biloxi | C | 55.6 | 52.2 | 59 | 64 | 81 | 48,861 |
| 14Meridian | D | 54.1 | 44.3 | 59 | 60 | 92 | 34,137 |
| 15Jackson | D | 53.6 | 45.4 | 52 | 71 | 87 | 146,631 |
| 16Columbus | D | 53.4 | 46.5 | 56 | 65 | 91 | 23,348 |
| 17Pascagoula | D | 50.7 | 44.7 | 65 | 48 | 87 | 21,710 |
| 18Gulfport | D | 49.6 | 47.2 | 58 | 45 | 83 | 73,003 |
| 19Greenville | F | 49.3 | 37.6 | 52 | — | 92 | 28,166 |
| 20Vicksburg | F | 48.9 | 40.6 | 62 | 35 | 92 | 20,589 |
City families scores use each city's own data, with the category weights rescaled over the categories the city has; outdoor access has no city-level measure and is left out. City scores for families also weigh the county's expected yearly building losses from natural hazards (FEMA), lower is better; the share of adults without health insurance (CDC PLACES), lower is better; the share of households with someone under 18 (Census ACS), higher is better.
Compare: States with Similar Families Rankings
Also See: Mississippi for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mississippi a good state for families?
Mississippi ranks #31 out of 50 for families with a persona-weighted score of 61.9/100. Its strongest relevant category is Affordability (92/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (15/100).
What is the best city for families in Mississippi?
Madison ranks #1 in Mississippi for families with a score of 69.3/100, followed by Brandon and Oxford.
What factors are most important for families in Mississippi?
Rankings weighted toward education quality, public safety, affordable housing, healthcare, and community livability — the factors that matter most to families with children.