These are the best places to live in MS in 2026. Biloxi and Gulfport aren’t even in top 10
Two of the biggest cities on the Mississippi Coast didn’t make the top 10 on a recent ranking of the state’s best places to live for 2026.
The study by Niche — an online platform to help families research neighborhoods, jobs and schools — considered several factors in their ranking, including cost of living, housing, public schools grade, higher education rate, crime and safety, diversity, outdoor activities, weather and more, analysts said.
While a few smaller communities on the Coast did make the top 10, one of the biggest cities, Gulfport, didn’t even land among the top 40.
Here’s what to know about the ranking.
Coast communities that made top 10
Two smaller communities on the Mississippi Coast, Ocean Springs and Pass Christian, were named among the state’s top 10 best places to live for 2026, according to Niche’s ranking.
Ocean Springs, a town of just under 20,000, ranks fourth overall for best places to live in Mississippi, according to Niche.
The town was also recognized for having the second-best public schools in the state and the third-best place to live as a young professional, according to separate Niche rankings.
The town earned A grades for public schools, housing, family environment and nightlife; B grades for jobs, cost of living, outdoor activities, diversity, weather, health and fitness and commute; and one C grade for crime and safety, the Niche ranking found.
What reviewers said:
“I love Ocean Springs. I think it is a great place to live and have a family. All neighborhoods are safe and everyone is friendly. Ocean Springs has great places to eat, shop, and explore especially in downtown. There is a great beach where people can relax or places to have fun at night. Ocean Springs is a growing environment with something for everyone.”
Pass Christian has a population of about 6,000 people and ranks seventh overall for best places to live in Mississippi, according to Niche.
The town was also recognized for having the fifth-best public school system in the state, being the fifth-best place to retire and the 6th-best town to raise a family, according to separate Niche rankings.
The town earned A grades for public schools, housing, family environment and diversity; B grades for jobs, cost of living, outdoor activities, crime and safety, weather and health and fitness; and C grades for nightlife and commute, the Niche ranking found.
What reviewers said:
“More of an elderly neighborhood, has its own friendly culture. Residents here are very kind. Houses, though, are expensive — very beautiful place to live.”
Best places to live in Mississippi for 2026
These are the Magnolia’s States top 25 places to live for 2026, according to Niche:
1. Madison
2. Flowood
3. Oxford
4. Ocean Springs
5. Clinton
6. Ridgeland
7. Pass Christian
8. Gulf Hills
9. Brandon
10. Petal
11. Tupelo
12. Pearl
13. Olive Branch
14, Arnold Line
15. Richland
16. Biloxi
17. New Hope
18. Long Beach
19. Hattiesburg
20. Raymond
21. Bay St. Louis
22. D’Iberville
23. Florence
24. Beechwood
25. Pascagoula
