Best Cities for Retirees in Mississippi
Mississippi ranks #48 of 50 for retirees, with a retirees score of 44.6. Madison is its best city for retirees at 68.5.
- Mississippi, all states
- #48 of 50
- Population
- 27,946
What Retirees Should Know About Mississippi
At #48 out of 50, Mississippi isn't a traditional retirement hotspot — but that doesn't tell the whole story. The state has genuine strengths in affordability, and retirees with specific priorities (safety, low cost of living) may find it suits them better than the aggregate ranking suggests.
For retirees, healthcare access and tax friendliness are non-negotiable. Mississippi's health score of 18/100 is a concern — at 72.6 years, life expectancy trails the national average, and access to quality care can be uneven. On the tax front, the overall burden stands at 9.06% of income. The 4.4% income tax rate is relatively modest. Property taxes run 0.76% (effective rate), which is among the lowest in the nation.
Housing affordability is a clear draw — a typical home value of $197,606 makes it feasible to downsize and free up equity. The state's safety profile is reassuring, with a safety score of 79/100. Livability amenities are more limited compared to top-ranked states, so retirees who value a vibrant social scene should focus their search on the state's larger metro areas.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Retirees
| # City | Grade | Retirees score | Overall | Health | Household finances | Affordability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Madison | A+ | 68.5 | 68.8 | 71 | 83 | 67 | 27,946 |
| 2Brandon | A | 62.7 | 63.2 | 60 | 65 | 76 | 25,542 |
| 3Olive Branch | B+ | 61.0 | 60.3 | 54 | 76 | 68 | 47,019 |
| 4Tupelo | C+ | 56.4 | 55.5 | 49 | 41 | 87 | 37,791 |
| 5Clinton | B | 56.3 | 57.8 | 56 | 55 | 81 | 27,195 |
| 6Ridgeland | C+ | 55.8 | 52.6 | 58 | 51 | 76 | 24,587 |
| 7Southaven | B | 55.5 | 56.0 | 49 | 51 | 75 | 56,226 |
| 8Pearl | B+ | 55.0 | 58.9 | 45 | 45 | 82 | 27,737 |
| 9Oxford | B | 54.7 | 57.3 | 59 | 21 | 78 | 26,411 |
| 10Starkville | C | 48.6 | 52.0 | 48 | 3 | 84 | 25,721 |
| 11Biloxi | C | 48.1 | 52.2 | 49 | 35 | 81 | 48,861 |
| 12Horn Lake | C | 47.6 | 50.6 | 33 | 28 | 78 | 26,647 |
| 13Columbus | D | 45.8 | 46.5 | 27 | 19 | 91 | 23,348 |
| 14Hattiesburg | C | 43.3 | 49.3 | 38 | 8 | 86 | 48,619 |
| 15Meridian | D | 42.8 | 44.3 | 17 | 1 | 92 | 34,137 |
| 16Gulfport | D | 40.9 | 47.2 | 34 | 20 | 83 | 73,003 |
| 17Jackson | D | 40.6 | 45.4 | 22 | 7 | 87 | 146,631 |
| 18Vicksburg | F | 39.0 | 40.6 | 22 | 11 | 92 | 20,589 |
| 19Pascagoula | D | 38.7 | 44.7 | 24 | 18 | 87 | 21,710 |
| 20Greenville | F | 37.6 | 37.6 | 19 | 6 | 92 | 28,166 |
City retirees 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 retirees 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), a sign of local healthcare access, lower is better; the median age of residents (Census ACS), older is better: more peers and retiree services.
Compare: States with Similar Retirees Rankings
Also See: Mississippi for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mississippi a good state for retirees?
Mississippi ranks #48 out of 50 for retirees with a persona-weighted score of 44.6/100. Its strongest relevant category is Affordability (92/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (15/100).
What is the best city for retirees in Mississippi?
Madison ranks #1 in Mississippi for retirees with a score of 68.5/100, followed by Brandon and Olive Branch.
What factors are most important for retirees in Mississippi?
Rankings weighted toward low taxes, quality healthcare, affordable living, safety, community livability, and pleasant environment — the priorities for retirement years.