9 Most Comfortable Towns in Mississippi for Seniors

Retirement isn’t just about kicking back—it’s about finding a place where life feels just right. And in Mississippi, that’s surprisingly easy to do. With one of the lowest costs of living in the country, tax-friendly perks for retirees, and a laid-back pace that’s hard to beat, this state knows how to treat its seniors. Whether you’re dreaming of mornings by the Gulf Coast, afternoons exploring historic streets, or evenings surrounded by good friends, Mississippi has a town for you. From Ocean Springs to Madison, here are nine of the most comfortable places to call home in your golden years.

Ocean Springs

Although the Gulf Coast has its fair share of charming towns that would be perfect for retirement, few have anything on Ocean Springs. From fresh seafood ( especially crawfish) to family-friendly Mardi Gras parades to lively casinos — Ocean Springs provides much more than an average Mississippi town. You can spend an evening at the beach, enjoy a round of golf at Gulf Hills Golf Club, or head over to Davis Bayou, the quietest place for miles. Merit Health Biloxi is just a hair out of town for accessible healthcare. On the social side, empty nesters aged 60 and above comprise 27% of the population, meaning you will have a social circle to fit into. Does it come cheap? No. But you don't have to break the bank, either. The average listing home price in Ocean Springs, MS, was $319,000.

West Point

West Point has featured twice in Norman Crampton’s 100 Best Small Towns in America. It is small and safe, calm and laid-back. Some towns would leave a retiree with nothing much to do. West Point is not one of them. There is the Kitty Bryan Dill Memorial Parkway, where one can enjoy regular walks — amid arbors and gazebos. One can look forward to the Prairie Arts Festival - one of the Southeast’s most anticipated events. Looking to spend a night out under the skies and watch the scintillating glow of the moon? There is the Town Creek Recreation Area. The trick is to pick a spot near the river because there is always something therapeutic about the sound of moving water. Besides, the beauty of the Old Waverly Golf Club speaks for itself. Avid golfers will not ask for more. Also, the North Mississippi Medical Center is right in town. So, there is no need for a back-breaking trip to access a good facility. With residents aged 60 and above comprising 26% of the population, a retiree will easily find friends in the same age bracket. And let us not get started on cost. The standard listing home price in West Point, MS, was just$186,400.

Pascagoula

If you are a veteran, you will especially love it here. Pascagoula hosts Naval Station Pascagoula, meaning you will find a crowd you can easily fit into. The scenery is lush — and features lots of open spaces to walk and bike. And being on the Gulf Coast, there is a lot of boating, fishing, and other water-based recreational activities. No wonder Nasdaq ranked Pascagoula among the top 5 cities in which to raise a family in the Southeast. A white-sand beach (with trails and a beautiful pier), the Singing River, Krebs Lake, Pascagoula River, and Lake Yazoo — give endless options for recreation. Pascagoula residents aged 60 and above constitute 20% of the town’s population, meaning 1 in 5 residents are fellow empty nesters. Although Pascagoula Hospital is at your doorstep — and boasts good ratings — Memorial Hospital is a heartbeat away in Gulfport. It has been ranked among America's 100 Best Hospitals for Prostate Surgery. The best part is that the median listing home price in Pascagoula, MS, was $148,000.

Tupelo

Once among a handful of Mississippi towns designated as Certified Retirement Cities, Tupelo meets almost every parameter a retiree should be keen on. It is family-friendly, features a robust food scene — and is only about 2 hours from both Memphis, Tennessee and Birmingham, Alabama. Plus, it has a fairly busy regional airport, making it score big on accessibility. One can kill time at the Tupelo National Golf Course, Elvis Presley Lake & Campground, Bel Air Golf Course, Elvis Presley Birthplace, and The Mall at Barnes Crossing for almost all of one's shopping needs. For that annoying flu, the North Mississippi Medical Center is right in town. It is a 2024 recipient of the Vascular Surgery Excellence Award. With Tupelo residents aged 60 and above comprising 22% of the population, a retiree will not feel isolated or out of place. The home price in Tupelo, MS, is around $272,000.

Pass Christian

Pass Christian has a supportive community culture and is loved for the country ambiance that pervades its neighborhoods. It has a public library, where one can bury himself in a Classic, and a nearby hospital (In Gulfport) that accepts Medicare patients and boasts some of the best schools in the state. One can go for an early-morning walk at the War Memorial Park, enjoy a slow-paced brunch at Bacchus On The Beach — or lounge on a powdery, white-sand beach. Plus, Pass Christian has been celebrating Mardi Gras for more than 100 years. On the social side, residents aged 60 and above comprise 28% of the population, meaning one can enjoy the association of fellow empty nesters. The typical home price in Pass Christian, MS, was $464,500.

Natchez

Natchez provides retirees with a tasty range of recreational activities, including paddling and kayaking near the Mississippi River. There is the Natchez State Park, if you love the feeling of being in the woods, the St. Catherine Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Duncan Park (with its awesome golf course), and the Magnolia Bluffs Casino, loved for its party-like atmosphere. If under the weather, Merit Health Natchez is around and has been providing medical services to residents in the area for more than 60 years. With empty nesters aged 60 and above comprising 29% of the town’s population, the social landscape here also hits the right spot. The average home price in Natchez, MS, was $279,500.

Hattiesburg

When it comes to retirement, college towns are often some of the best picks. They are diverse, vibrant, and accommodating. Hattiesburg hosts not one but two universities: the University of Southern Mississippi and William Carey University. The former is big on arts and is one of only 39 institutions in the United States accredited in theatre, art and design, dance, and music. A retiree can bike along the Longleaf Trace, explore the Paul B. Johnson State Park, especially from a rented cabin, and visit the numerous museums in town, including the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum. This museum keeps the largest collection of historic military artifacts in the state. On healthcare, you have the award-winning Merit Health Wesley at your doorstep and the 547-bed Forrest General Hospital. Being a college town, Hattiesburg is ideal for empty nesters who want to remain young at heart. Still, residents aged 60 and above comprise 18% of the town’s population. The standard listing home price in Hattiesburg, MS, was $299,900.

Oxford

Although the median home listing price in Oxford is $520,000, the amenities here and the town’s high culture make the price point seem like a steal. Oxford is not just a college town; It has been billed as the Cultural Mecca of the South. You have doorstep access to the University of Mississippi, the first in the state; William Faulkner's Home; Square Books, one of the South's most beloved bookstores; the historic Lyric Theatre; Bailey Woods Trail — the list just goes on. Moreover, you have the Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi, a two-time recipient of the Pulmonary Care Excellence Award. No need to worry about your shopping options, either. Shops and malls are a dime a dozen, including Neilson’s Department Store, the oldest department store in the South. Oxford residents aged 60 and above comprise 17% of its population.

Madison

According to Safewise, Madison is the second-safest city in Mississippi. It has zero reports of rape and a Violent Crime Rate of 0.5 per 1,000 residents, which is next to nothing. Madison hosts two Kroger grocery stores, is just 14 miles from Jackson, Mississippi — the state’s capital — and is quaint and charming in every sense. Looking for spots to kill time? There is the Barnett Reservoir, Central Mississippi's largest recreational area; Pearl River (a popular swimming spot); the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science; and the enticingly tranquil Mynelle Gardens Arboretum & Botanical Center. For that troublesome knee, the Mississippi Baptist Medical Center is a 2024 recipient of the Outpatient Joint Replacement Excellence Award. Also, a retiree will easily meet peers in the same age bracket since residents aged 60 and above comprise 23% of the town’s population. The median listing home price in Madison, MS, was $484,700.

Mississippi: Your Ideal Retirement Destination

From Pascagoula to Pass Christian, Mississippi has many small, charming towns, many of which are perfect retirement venues. The cost of living is low; it is among the lowest in the United States. This is not just about groceries but also about home prices and almost everything else. You can get a nice home without coughing up a million, then use the savings to finance your hobbies. The strip along the Gulf Coast is particularly laid-back and relaxing and features soothing breezes and nautical charm.