10 Best Kept Secret Places to Retire In Mississippi

Mississippi is one of the best states to retire to because it offers a warm environment with affordable housing. The United States Census provides essential insight into the best kept secret places to retire in Mississippi.

Those who call Mississippi home enjoy the beautiful scenery, including magnolia trees and flowers. This area boasts greenery, beaches, and open spaces, attracting people with various hobbies and desires.

Benefits of Retiring in Mississippi

• Tax-exempt retirement income: Mississippi doesn’t tax retirement income, including income from an IRA or 401(k), pensions, and Social Security benefits.
• Low cost of living: Mississippi’s living cost is 14% below the national average.
• Many people 65 and over live there: More than 17% of the citizens of Mississippi are 65 years and older, making it a good place to retire.
• Good year-round weather: Mississippi has a mild climate year-round, so you can enjoy outdoor activities anytime.

1. Greenwood

The median home value in Greenwood is around $85,200, and 15% of the population is 65 or over. You’ll find plenty of shops and markets featuring local artists.

Greenwood also boasts museums for learning about the rich history of the area. It is part of the Mississippi Delta, where blues music originated, and bluesman Robert Johnson died.

2. Indianola

Indianola, MS, has a median home value of $100,300, and 17.3% of the population is over 65. This city is one of the best kept secret places to retire in Mississippi for those who appreciate a rich history. You’ll find museums and tours to learn about famous people who lived there, including B.B. King.

3. Biloxi

The median home value in Biloxi is around $168,600, and the population is 14.5% 65 and over. Being on the Gulf of Mexico coastline, Biloxi boasts beautiful beachfront areas, casino resorts, and golf courses.

Aside from spending time at the beach, you can visit museums and historic sites like the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art, the Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum, and the Beauvoir. There are also local restaurants where you can indulge in fresh seafood. However, if you prefer, you can head to the water to catch your dinner and cook it yourself at home.

4. Hattiesburg

Hattiesburg has a median home value of $131,300, and 13.1% of the citizens are 65 and over. It is a suburban area with plenty of entertainment, providing simultaneous opportunities for relaxation and fun.

Hattiesburg is well-known for its excellent educational environment and has several colleges, including The University of Southern Mississippi and William Carey University. The nearby university hosts many performances for the community to enjoy, and residents enjoy supporting the local sports teams.

5. Starkville

Around 10.4% of Starkville’s population are 65 and over, and the median home value is $197,600. With great healthcare options and a low cost of living, Starkville is one of the best kept secret places to retire in Mississippi.

There are plenty of things to do in Starkville, including indulging in nature, sports, and history. You’ll find plenty of museums, farm-to-table dining, and shopping options.

6. Gulfport

Retiring to Gulfport is relatively inexpensive, with a median home value of $138,200. Plus, 13.9% of the population here is 65 and older, showing that it’s popular with retirees.

Being close to the Gulf of Mexico, Gulfport has beautiful beaches and various water activities. You can also find fresh seafood, a casino, and an outlet shopping area.

7. Yazoo City

With a median home value of $66,400 and 6.5% of the population 65 and over, Yazoo City is one of the best kept secret places to retire in Mississippi. You’ll find outdoor adventure in the Delta National Forest and other outdoor areas. There are also plenty of camping, hunting, and fishing spots, including Wolf Lake and nearby Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge.

8. Tupelo

Tupelo is one of the must-visit small towns in Mississippi and has a high rate of citizens 65 and over, coming in at 15.4%. With a median home value of $158,800, it’s an inexpensive place to retire.

Tupelo is a small town close to more fast-paced areas if you want to venture outside the quiet city. Otherwise, you can find shopping malls, supermarkets, and stores within Tupelo, so you don’t have to leave. Tupelo is also where Elvis Presley was born, and you can visit a museum at his birthplace.

Another perk of retiring in Tupelo is that the Natchez Trail Parkway runs through it. The Natchez Trail Parkway is a historical place where travelers in the 1700s and 1800s stamped out an identifiable trail that runs through Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee. The trail became a designated national postal road in 1801 by President Thomas Jefferson. It is connected to other famous people from history, too, making it a historical sight that always provides something new. It’s one of the nation’s best biking roads and is open for motorists, hikers, and bikers.

9. West Point

West Point, MS, has 18.5% of its citizens 65 years and older, and the median home value is $105,600. The city boasts plenty of museums and other indoor activities, plus plenty for those who enjoy outdoor adventures. You’ll find walking trails, dog parks, and campgrounds to indulge in the beautiful natural environment.

10. Oxford

13.3% of the population in Oxford, MS, is 65 and over, and the median home value is $288,600. As the previous home of William Faulkner, Oxford is considered a literary haven with Southern elegance. It is also home to The University of Mississippi, or Ole Miss, the most beautiful campus in the state.

You can attend plenty of book festivals and inviting cafes to pass your time enjoyably. Oxford also provides plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventure with the Holly Springs National Forest nearby.

Summary of Best-Kept Secret Places to Retire in Mississippi