So, you’re curious about living in Mississippi? Well, you’ve come to the right place!
The expert movers, travelers, and worldwide locals that make up the team at Relocalate.com are here to help.
We’ve compiled the ultimate guides to answer the most common questions people just like you have about living in the great state of Mississippi.
Dive deep into the topics you’re interested in to make sure your new home in Mississippi matches what you’re looking for.
We’ll explore whether Mississippi is a good place for YOU to live, and we’ll highlight some of the best cities for you to visit, explore, and ultimately call home.
Pros and Cons of Living in Mississippi
You’ve heard it before, and it’s true: no place is perfect. What matters is how good of a fit it is for you.
Relocalate.com is here to help you decide whether Mississippi is the best place for YOU to live.
Here are some reasons to love living in Mississippi:
- The Gulf Coast.
- The Delta Region.
- Mississippi’s history and culture (especially Southern hospitality!)
And, on the flip side, here are some of the downsides of living in Mississippi:
- Finding a good job can be difficult at times.
- The winters can be colder than other states in the region and the summers can be very hot and muggy. And there can be more bugs (especially mosquitos).
Read More: Is Mississippi a Good Place to Live?
Best Place to Live in Mississippi
So, you’ve got your heart set on living in Mississippi? Well, the decision making doesn’t end there. You’ve still got to decide where to live in Mississippi!
In some other articles, we’ll dive deeper into some of the best places to live in Mississippi.
Our experts have considered a whole bunch of different criteria to select the top locations, including:
- The best places to live for families, retirees, singles, young adults, outdoor lovers, foodies, and more.
- The safest places to live.
- The cheapest places to live.
- The best schools.
- The best job markets.
- The best housing markets.
- And so much more.
Just want a quick list? No worries, here are some of the best cities to live in Mississippi:
- Jackson
- Madison
Read More: Best Places to Live in Mississippi
Checklist for Moving to Mississippi
So now you’re preparing for your big move to Mississippi. Maybe you’ve even started packing!
As you probably already know, there are a lot of things to take care of when you’re moving. Both in your current state and once you get to Mississippi.
Here are some of the major things you’ll want to take care of when you move to Mississippi:
- Updating your address with USPS.
- Getting your Mississippi driver’s license.
- Transferring your vehicle titles and registrations to Mississippi
- Getting Mississippi car insurance.
- Signing up for health insurance in Mississippi and finding new doctors, dentists, and local hospitals.
- Updating/changing other insurance policies you may need (homeowner’s insurance, renter’s insurance, pet insurance, motorcycle insurance, etc.)
- Registering to vote in your district in Mississippi.
- Updating your address with your banks, credit cards, subscription services, loans, investments, phone plans, and bill pay.
- Enrolling your kids in their new school district.
- Licensing your pets and finding a new vet.
- Setting up your utilities for your new home.
- Preparing to file state taxes for Mississippi and your previous home state.
Visit your Mississippi Moving Checklist for a detailed guide on all of the above.
Read More: Moving to Mississippi Checklist
While we’re at it, let’s cover some high-level questions and fun facts about Mississippi.
Things to Know About Living in Mississippi
As you’re preparing for your move or getting settled into your new home in Mississippi, here are some things to know about living there.
Cost of Living in Mississippi
One thing to consider when moving to a new state is the relative cost of living.
Mississippi ranks 1st on the Cost of Living Index with an overall rating of 84.6, meaning it’s one of the least expensive places to live.
Here is how Mississippi scores for the cost of living in each specific category:
- Groceries: 93.2
- Housing: 66.6
- Utilities: 92.3
- Transportation: 89.1
- Health: 90.1
- Miscellaneous: 91.4
The average cost of living in this index is scored at 100. The numbers above represent the percentage of the average. A number higher than 100 represents an above average cost of living, while a number lower than 100 represents a lower cost of living. A lower rank indicates a lower cost of living.
This data comes from the Cost of Living Index prepared by the Council for Economic Research (C2ER), which compiles data from cities across the country to rank and compare the differences in costs of living.
Sales Tax Rates in Mississippi
Sales tax is a way that state and local governments collect tax revenue from its residents and visitors.
These taxes are applied when you purchase something. It’ll show up on your receipt or bill. If you’ve recently moved to Mississippi from somewhere else, the new sales tax rates may surprise you.
On top of the state sales tax rates, local rates for certain counties and cities may apply and vary as well.
Mississippi’s state sales tax rate is higher than the national average at 7%, with an average local rate of .07% (the highest local sales tax rate is 1%). Across the state, the average sales tax rate is about 7.07%.
Check with the Mississippi tax office for the most current tax rates.
Real-Estate Property Tax Rates in Mississippi
If you own or plan to own real estate in Mississippi, you’ll want to think about the property tax rates when you move there.
Mississippi ranks 18th (from low to high) for its state property tax rate of .81%.
There may be additional property taxes on top of the rate stated here depending on your county, city, and school districts.
Check with the Mississippi tax office for the most current tax rates.
Mississippi’s Job Market & Economy
Another thing to think about when moving to Mississippi is the job market and economic indicators.
Overall, Mississippi ranks 37th for Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the United States.
The GDP measures the overall monetary value of all goods and services produced within a certain place over a period of time.
Its top 10 industries (ranked from largest to smallest by economic contribution to the state) are:
- Manufacturing
- Real estate and rental and leasing
- Educational services, health care, and social assistance
- Retail trade
- Professional and business services
- Wholesale trade
- Finance and insurance
- Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services
- Transportation and warehousing
- Construction
The top employer in Mississippi is Walmart.
Notable Destinations and Landmarks in Mississippi
Our Mississippi moving guide wouldn’t be complete without a brief mention of some of the most iconic destinations in the state.
When you get settled in, a road trip may just be in order.
One of the most iconic landmarks in Mississippi is Elvis Presley’s Birthplace.
National Monuments that you can find in Mississippi include:
- Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument
These destinations are all great places to visit when you get a chance.
Facts about Mississippi
Mississippi is the 20th state of the United States that lies in the southern region. To its north is Tennessee, to its south is the Gulf of Mexico, to its east is Alabama, and to its west is Louisiana and Arkansas.
What is the capital of Mississippi?
The capital of Mississippi is Jackson.
Jackson is located in Hinds County with a population of 173,514.
What is the population of Mississippi?
The population of Mississippi based on 2020 US Census data is 2,961,279.
What is the largest city in Mississippi?
The largest city in Mississippi is Jackson.
What is the size of Mississippi?
Mississippi is 48,431 square miles, making it the 32nd largest state in the U.S.
What is the state motto of Mississippi?
The state motto of Mississippi is: Virtute et armis
What is the state bird of Mississippi?
The state bird of Mississippi is the Northern mockingbird.
What is the state flower of Mississippi?
The state flower of Mississippi is the Magnolia.
What is the state tree of Mississippi?
The state tree of Mississippi is the Southern Magnolia.
What is the minimum wage in the state of Mississippi?
The minimum wage in Mississippi is $7.25 per hour.
What is the median income in Mississippi?
The median annual household salary in Mississippi is $44,717.