Best small towns to live in Mississippi

1. 1
   Farmington, MS Score 77/100

   2,312 people · typical home $130k · household income $57k · 125 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 28% of MS · 1.0% unemployment · 6 mi to a hospital

2. 2
   New Albany, MS Score 75/100

   7,663 people · typical home $161k · household income $51k · 59 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 15% of MS · 3.0% unemployment · 1 mi to a hospital

3. 3
   Decatur, MS Score 72/100

   1,929 people · typical home $129k · household income $50k · 62 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 11% of MS · 6.0% unemployment · 12 mi to a hospital

4. 4
   Guntown, MS Score 72/100

   2,594 people · typical home $211k · household income $96k · 82 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 44% of MS · 4.0% unemployment · 16 mi to a hospital

5. 5
   Vardaman, MS Score 71/100

   1,100 people · typical home $54k · household income $38k · 104 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 49% of MS · 3.0% unemployment · 11 mi to a hospital

6. 6
   Pearl River, MS Score 70/100

   4,047 people · typical home $61k · household income $51k · 159 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 34% of MS · 7.0% unemployment · 7 mi to a hospital

7. 7
   Mantachie, MS Score 70/100

   1,950 people · typical home $157k · household income $66k · 86 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 32% of MS · 4.0% unemployment · 17 mi to a hospital

8. 8
   Lumberton, MS Score 69/100

   1,320 people · typical home $86k · household income $38k · 144 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 12% of MS · 8.0% unemployment · 14 mi to a hospital

9. 9
   Iuka, MS Score 68/100

   3,110 people · typical home $125k · household income $49k · 219 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 31% of MS · 2.0% unemployment · 3 mi to a hospital

10. 10
    Houston, MS Score 68/100

    3,741 people · typical home $123k · household income $44k · 18 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 38% of MS · 5.0% unemployment · 2 mi to a hospital

11. 11
    Leakesville, MS Score 68/100

    4,959 people · typical home $114k · household income $68k · schools in the top 33% of MS · 14.0% unemployment · 4 mi to a hospital

12. 12
    Caledonia, MS Score 67/100

    1,414 people · typical home $203k · household income $83k · 235 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 17% of MS · 2.0% unemployment · 9 mi to a hospital

13. 13
    Calhoun City, MS Score 66/100

    1,745 people · typical home $95k · household income $40k · 108 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 49% of MS · 6.0% unemployment · 3 mi to a hospital

14. 14
    Eupora, MS Score 66/100

    2,250 people · typical home $103k · household income $54k · 185 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 26% of MS · 17.0% unemployment · 3 mi to a hospital

15. 15
    Courtland, MS Score 65/100

    1,205 people · typical home $94k · household income $47k · 201 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 40% of MS · 5.0% unemployment · 4 mi to a hospital

16. 16
    Ackerman, MS Score 65/100

    1,792 people · typical home $147k · household income $48k · 21 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 5% of MS · 21.0% unemployment · 2 mi to a hospital

17. 17
    Blue Mountain, MS Score 65/100

    1,232 people · typical home $102k · household income $50k · schools in the top 40% of MS · 5.0% unemployment · 8 mi to a hospital

18. 18
    Verona, MS Score 65/100

    2,748 people · typical home $118k · household income $46k · 189 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 27% of MS · 4.0% unemployment · 4 mi to a hospital

19. 19
    Waynesboro, MS Score 64/100

    4,518 people · typical home $86k · household income $32k · 142 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 46% of MS · 4.0% unemployment · 2 mi to a hospital

20. 20
    Taylorsville, MS Score 64/100

    1,650 people · typical home $144k · household income $38k · 14 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 35% of MS · 2.0% unemployment · 15 mi to a hospital

21. 21
    Nettleton, MS Score 63/100

    1,853 people · typical home $120k · household income $55k · 189 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 48% of MS · 6.0% unemployment · 13 mi to a hospital

22. 22
    Union, MS Score 62/100

    2,090 people · typical home $138k · household income $45k · 81 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 10% of MS · 8.0% unemployment · 3 mi to a hospital

23. 23
    Collinsville, MS Score 62/100

    1,725 people · typical home $171k · household income $79k · 303 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 24% of MS · 5.0% unemployment · 18 mi to a hospital

24. 24
    Saltillo, MS Score 62/100

    4,952 people · typical home $205k · household income $81k · 189 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 39% of MS · 2.0% unemployment · 12 mi to a hospital

25. 25
    Kosciusko, MS Score 61/100

    6,933 people · typical home $112k · household income $40k · 87 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 43% of MS · 6.0% unemployment · 4 mi to a hospital

How we ranked them

Every small town in Mississippi with 1,000–15,000 people that stands on its own (not part of a big metro core, by USDA rural-urban codes) and has solid Census data. Each town is scored against the others in Mississippi on: affordability (household income vs. home prices), safety (violent crime, FBI), schools (reading proficiency vs. other Mississippi districts), jobs (unemployment, half weight) and everyday access (distance to a hospital and a grocery store, quarter weight each). Missing numbers count as average.

The "best" town is different for everyone — weather, size, politics, things to do and more all matter too.

All places in Mississippi →