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Mississippi Real Estate For Sale
If you’re looking to move to a state with everything from rural life to large cities at an affordable price, Mississippi is an often underrated option. Not only is Mississippi real estate some of the country’s most affordable, but the cost of living itself is also low without sacrificing the quality of life and access to wonderful amenities. Mississippi is full of southern hospitality and the delicious food that goes with it, all with access to beautiful beaches on the gulf coast and a lively music scene.
Mississippi Real Estate Market
While Jackson is Mississippi’s largest city, the Magnolia State is full of places to make your home. Other hubs like Hattiesburg and Gulfport offer a city-like experience, with large businesses and universities helping to boost the population. But much of Mississippi is full of small towns, many of which still rely on local agriculture and farmland for sustenance. Whichever area you choose to pursue Mississippi real estate in, you’ll find homes that are both large and come at a low price.
Because Mississippi boasts the nation’s lowest cost of living, it is a desirable place to buy real estate and maintain purchasing power. The three largest markets in the state are Jackson, Gulfport, and Hattiesburg, which have a combined average home price of just $191,000. These rates are partly because there is a lot of lands available in Mississippi, rather than an overcrowded state where housing is at a premium. Additionally, the state is right off of both the Gulf Coast and many major highways, which cuts down on shipping costs for materials and contributes to the state’s overall affordability which makes real estate in Mississippi a good investment.
Mississippi Real Estate Features
Mississippi real estate has a history as rich as the state itself, from creole cottages to stately colonial-style homes, craftsman bungalows, and ranch homes. Mobile homes are also uniquely popular, with about 15% of all housing being mobile homes. Far more than the traditional campers, many mobile homes in Mississippi are large and rival some of the traditional homes in similar locations.
While not every home for sale in Mississippi will have one, you’ll notice that many streets are lined with one of the South’s biggest architectural markers: porches. Whether it is a modest screened-in porch or a large wraparound style, porches in Mississippi real estate represent not only the temperate weather that allows for outdoor socializing but also the friendly and open feeling in most neighborhoods.
Schools in Mississippi
Mississippi real estate has access to 162 districts that service nearly half a million students each year. The Mississippi Department of Education and The Mississippi Board of Education are the governing bodies for the school systems in the state. Some areas of Mississippi have a reputation for below-average education, but don’t let this deter you- the state also has many schools and districts that offer exceptional education. For example, Ocean Springs School District has a track record of consistent “A” ratings and students that bring in $19 million in scholarship money each year.
One area where Mississippi shines is early childhood education, which ranks a full two grades above the national average and is second in the country in the category. With a high enrollment in both Head Start and full-day Kindergarten, children in Mississippi tend to begin schooling early and with high-quality programs.
Colleges in Mississippi
Mississippi is also a hub for higher education in the South, with 41 colleges and universities throughout the state. Not only does this include well-rated institutions, but the overall cost of higher education is exceptionally low in Mississippi. Similar colleges in the Northeastern part of the country can be as much as four times the cost of schools like the University of Mississippi!
Frequently Asked Questions About Mississippi Real Estate
What are the nearest commercial airports in Mississippi?
Mississippi real estate has access to the state's three major airports: Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport, the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, and Stennis International Airport. Despite the relatively small population of the state, its central location and access to shipping ports mean it has high air traffic.
What are the must-see attractions and landmarks in Mississippi?
Mississippi’s beaches are one of the largest draws in the state, particularly the Gulf Islands National Seashore and Davis Bayou. Beachgoers can enjoy the white sand and crystal blue waters of the Gulf and, just a short trip away, explore the hiking trails and campgrounds of the state. You can also enjoy a range of museums in the state, like the Tupelo Automobile Museum, USS Cairo Museum, BB King Museum, and the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies. For a unique visit, explore the Mississippi Petrified Forest, a natural trail through a prehistoric forest full of maple, fir, palm, and other trees that turned to stone millions of years ago.
How is the weather in Mississippi?
Mississippi has very mild winters, with the Northern part of the state rarely going below a freezing temperature and very little snowfall. When you move towards the Gulf, winters are even warmer, usually at least 60 degrees on an average day. Summers are very warm and humid, often peaking over 100 degrees, though the state gets a good amount of rainfall to break up the summer days.
Who are the largest employers in Mississippi?
In addition to universities and healthcare systems that employ many Mississippi residents, a number of global corporations have offices in the state. Nissan, McKesson, and McLane are good examples of companies that rely on the shipping infrastructure in Mississippi. Other manufacturers, especially in the furniture industry, have facilities in the state.
Which cities in Mississippi are the largest?
Mississippi does not have any cities that are considered large, though Jackson is the biggest, with a population of 165,000. However, within a two-hour radius, residents have access to Memphis, New Orleans, and Birmingham, making it easy to attend large cultural events or access major medical centers when needed.
Is Mississippi real estate a good place to retire?
The low cost of living makes Mississippi a great option for retirees, as it comes in a full 14% below the national average. Retirement spending is the lowest in the nation, partly because of the affordable real estate in Mississippi. There is also no income tax on Social Security benefits or retirement income like 401(k)s.
Living in Mississippi
While Mississippi may be most famed for its namesake river, anyone who has spent time in the Magnolia State knows that it is a place with diverse regions with traditional and historical roots. Where you live in the state can greatly impact what those traditions are and the lifestyle you live. Living in the Mississippi Delta offers an old-timey feeling that calls to mind the blues, with its quaint towns and cotton fields. Cities like Jackson and Vicksburg represent a busier region full of historical landmarks and cultural experiences. The Pines region is full of woodlands and outdoor recreation, yet the coastal region offers the world’s largest man-made beach and is a wonderful destination for tourists and locals alike.
Music in Mississippi
No matter where you choose to buy real estate in Mississippi, there is one thing you will never go without: live music. Many people don’t realize that Mississippi has a rich musical history, known as the birthplace of the blues, Elvis Presley, and Jim Henson. Stars like Charley Patton, Robert Johnson, and BB King began their careers in the Mississippi Delta, and many have followed in their footsteps. Any time you can find a town center, whether it’s somewhere like Jackson or a rural main street, you are likely to find local and national bands alike offering concerts.
Food in Mississippi
One deeply rooted tradition in Mississippi is the food- any native will tell you the barbeque here is the best available. You can find basically any other comfort food as well, from homemade biscuits and grits to Cajun favorites like jambalaya or gumbo. But the state’s biggest delicacy is the Mississippi mud pie, a chocolate cookie crust topped with fudgy layers of cake, chocolate streusel, and chocolate ganache, topped with whipped cream.
Sports in Mississippi
The best place to find some of these delicious dishes is a tailgate. Even though Mississippi doesn’t have an NFL team of its own, the love of football runs deep. Pro-football fans tend to root for the New Orleans Saints due to proximity, but the real draw is college football. To live in Mississippi, it is almost required that you dedicate yourself to either Ole Miss or Mississippi State, and you may notice a palpable tension when the two compete. But not to worry, when the game is over, Mississippi returns to earning its nickname of the hospitality state!
Transportation in Mississippi
Along with good old-fashioned southern manners, Mississippi may maintain its reputation for kindness because of the slow-paced nature of most of the state. Nowhere is this more obvious than on the roads, which have the lowest share of rush hour conventions in the country. Coming in at 17%, Mississippi’s share of traffic is a solid five times lower than large states like California. The majority of commuters in Mississippi also have shorter rides than the national average, despite the sprawling nature of the state.