Best Cities for Small Business in Mississippi
Mississippi ranks #41 of 50 for small business, with a small business score of 41.3. Madison is its best city for small business at 69.4.
- Mississippi, all states
- #41 of 50
- Population
- 27,946
What Small Business Should Know About Mississippi
Mississippi ranks #41 out of 50 for small business owners and entrepreneurs, presenting some challenges for business formation and growth. The state's fiscal health score of 44/100 raises questions about the state's long-term fiscal trajectory, which can affect tax policy and regulatory stability.
Tax policy directly impacts the bottom line. Mississippi's overall tax burden is 9.06% of income, with a 4.4% income tax rate that applies to both personal and pass-through business income. The 7.06% combined sales tax rate is on the higher side and worth factoring into pricing strategy. The economic environment (score: 30/100) with 3.8% unemployment shows healthy labor availability.
Population is roughly stable, meaning market growth will depend on capturing share rather than riding demographic expansion. The education system (score: 63/100) produces a reasonably well-prepared workforce. A typical home value of $197,606 helps attract and retain employees who can afford to live nearby.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Small Business
| # City | Grade | Small Business score | Overall | Household finances | Economy | Growth | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Madison | A+ | 69.4 | 68.8 | 83 | 80 | 53 | 27,946 |
| 2Brandon | A | 61.3 | 63.2 | 65 | 67 | 51 | 25,542 |
| 3Olive Branch | B+ | 61.2 | 60.3 | 76 | 69 | 43 | 47,019 |
| 4Pearl | B+ | 55.7 | 58.9 | 45 | 55 | 58 | 27,737 |
| 5Clinton | B | 54.5 | 57.8 | 55 | 57 | 41 | 27,195 |
| 6Southaven | B | 53.3 | 56.0 | 51 | 57 | 44 | 56,226 |
| 7Tupelo | C+ | 51.3 | 55.5 | 41 | 52 | 47 | 37,791 |
| 8Biloxi | C | 48.2 | 52.2 | 35 | 48 | 45 | 48,861 |
| 9Ridgeland | C+ | 46.0 | 52.6 | 51 | 27 | 31 | 24,587 |
| 10Gulfport | D | 45.9 | 47.2 | 20 | 44 | 65 | 73,003 |
| 11Oxford | B | 45.3 | 57.3 | 21 | 55 | 35 | 26,411 |
| 12Horn Lake | C | 44.2 | 50.6 | 28 | 43 | 42 | 26,647 |
| 13Hattiesburg | C | 40.7 | 49.3 | 8 | 42 | 43 | 48,619 |
| 14Pascagoula | D | 40.7 | 44.7 | 18 | 42 | 37 | 21,710 |
| 15Columbus | D | 40.6 | 46.5 | 19 | 36 | 37 | 23,348 |
| 16Starkville | C | 39.1 | 52.0 | 3 | 41 | 45 | 25,721 |
| 17Jackson | D | 37.9 | 45.4 | 7 | 38 | 35 | 146,631 |
| 18Meridian | D | 35.6 | 44.3 | 1 | 37 | 36 | 34,137 |
| 19Vicksburg | F | 35.2 | 40.6 | 11 | 35 | 27 | 20,589 |
| 20Greenville | F | 29.8 | 37.6 | 6 | 29 | 16 | 28,166 |
City small business 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.
Compare: States with Similar Small Business Rankings
Also See: Mississippi for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mississippi a good state for small business?
Mississippi ranks #41 out of 50 for small business with a persona-weighted score of 41.3/100. Its strongest relevant category is Affordability (92/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (15/100).
What is the best city for small business in Mississippi?
Madison ranks #1 in Mississippi for small business with a score of 69.4/100, followed by Brandon and Olive Branch.
What factors are most important for small business in Mississippi?
Rankings weighted toward business-friendly tax climate, strong economy, population growth, workforce quality, and transportation infrastructure — what matters when starting or running a small business.