10 Cost-Effective Retirement Towns In Mississippi

When considering retirement in a state like Mississippi, there are generally a few key things that most people are searching for. Some people need plenty of things to do in their new forever home, others simply want the peace and quiet that comes with a smaller population, and many more simply want towns that come with great deals on homes. With the median home listing price for the state of Mississippi sitting at roughly $273,500 according to Zillow, you have quite a few affordable options available to you if you want Mississippi to be the place you spend the rest of your life. You don't need to sacrifice rich history, bustling communities, and peace of mind when considering your retirement. Compare these wonderful small Mississippi towns as your new home.

Natchez

Those who are seeking a new home with a lot of history to uncover will likely enjoy Natchez. With homes listed at roughly $254,000, and a population just over 14,000, Natchez manages to create what some may consider to be the perfect combination of cost-effective housing and enough people so the town feels lively. Those who find themselves fascinated by the antebellum South will enjoy paying visits to and exploring antebellum homes such as Longwood, Stanton Hall, or Magnolia Hall. If you do not want to do all the legwork yourself, look into Natchez Pilgrimage Tours when they are in season in order to see all the history the town has to offer. If you are in search of more than just museums, try your luck at the Magnolia Bluffs Casino or take in the latest show at the Natchez Little Theatre. If you fancy yourself a performer, you might even be able to audition for a show.

Vicksburg

For those with an appreciation for studying the Civil War, Vicksburg might already be a well-known town. Though the town does have a population hovering just below 20,000, the median listing price of houses in the area of roughly $204,000 might make the area even more appealing. Fans of the Civil War can take some time to visit the Vicksburg National Military Park to see an old battleground, or you could visit the USS Cairo Gunboat and Museum to see a real Civil War-era gunship, but do not forget to check out the Vicksburg Civil War Museum as well. For those seeking something a little different, head to the riverfront to witness Vicksburg’s Riverfront Murals or take in a variety of the many other museums that call Vicksburg home.

Meridian

There are a few towns in Mississippi that seem to capture both history and modern comforts in quite the way that Meridian does. With homes being listed at the nice and affordable price of roughly $179,000 and the town having a population of roughly 33,000, you may have to deal with a slightly higher population to enjoy even lower house prices. History comes in many forms in Meridian, and if you love railroads, you may want to visit the Meridian Railroad Museum. Before you head back home, go check out the Soule Steam Museum to explore a steam engine factory, or visit Meridian Museum of Art if you would prefer that. You also may want to end your day by heading out to find the beautiful Dentzel Carousel, originally created in 1896.

Brookhaven

If you are in search of a small town with a warm and welcoming community, Brookhaven might be the end of your search. The town's population of roughly 11,700 people makes it small enough to really be able to feel the community of the town, and the fact that the median listing price for homes in the area is at roughly $201,700 means that you can find a charming new community at an affordable price. You have so many options, as you can keep your days much more local in nature by exploring and uncovering history in the synagogue turned museum, Lincoln County Historical Museum, and the Lincoln County Public Library, all before heading to the Brookhaven Little Theatre for shows, and even potential auditions. The further you head down Brookway Blvd out of town, the more modern comforts and businesses you will find, allowing you the best of both worlds.

Pascagoula

Finding the perfect place to retire can be tricky if you absolutely must be near water, so it is lucky that Pascagoula is such a fantastic and affordable option in Mississippi. This aquatic-lover’s haven has homes listed at a median price of roughly $165,500, and the town has a population of roughly 21,000. Whether you go for a delightful walk in River Park or Lighthouse Park to take in the natural sights, you may want to see an actual lighthouse, so seek out the Round Island Lighthouse to learn more about the 1859 structure that served sailors for more than a hundred years. If that is not impressive enough, you can also visit the Lapointe-Krebs House and Museum to explore one of the oldest standing structures in Mississippi.

Laurel

When it comes to finding a town that provides a new adventure each and every day, Laurel might be worth your consideration. The median list price of homes in the area is roughly $218,600, but if you choose Laurel, that is bound to be far from the last bit of shopping you will do. With a population of roughly 17,000, there are plenty of wonderful local businesses for you to explore. Check out Laurel Mercantile Co. for great home decor, or head to Southern Antiques for something a bit more unique. Those who do not love to shop can still enjoy the nearby Laurel Country Club for a few rounds of golf on what is recognised as one of the best courses in Mississippi, or you could head to museums like the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art and the Veterans Memorial Museum if history and art sound more exciting than shopping.

Clarksdale

It is not always easy to find a place to live where the community feels music in their hearts, the same way that you might. If you love history and music, Clarksdale is a great retirement option with median home list prices sitting at just about $126,500 and a population of just over 13,500. If you love music, you may enjoy visits to Cat Head Delta Blues & Folk Art and Deak’s Mississippi Saxophones & Blues Emporium, but do not forget to stop for a bite to eat somewhere that might have local musicians playing like, the Bluesberry Cafe or the Ground Zero Blues Club, just be sure to check out their events ahead of time to see if the bands will jive with you. If you want a bit more education in your adventures, stop at the Delta Blues Museum for a variety of historic rotating exhibits.

Corinth

Though some may not see the appeal of a town like Corinth on the surface, especially since it only has decently affordable house prices at roughly $256,600 for the median list price, it is the unique history to be found that might draw you in. With a population of around 14,000, the town is small, but it still offers the comforts of a larger town. For an outing, you could first stop at the Crossroads Museum in order to uncover history in an old train depot, before heading to the Corinth Coca-Cola Museum in order to see authentic and quite old Coca-Cola memorabilia. Those who already consider themselves to be history buffs will likely enjoy a visit to the Shiloh National Military Park in order to view an actual old battlefield before stopping in at the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center to learn all about the battle of Corinth.

Greenwood

If you are looking for a place to retire while still enjoying the peaceful natural world around you, then Greenwood is worth considering. Though house prices sit near the state median, with the Greenwood median list price of houses being roughly $240,000, the draw of nature, community, and a small population of approximately 13,000 might make up for that. If you consider yourself a fan of blues music, you may want to find Mississippi Blues Trail markers all around town, something you could turn into a state-wide road trip. If you enjoy the movie “The Help,” you can take a driving tour around to see all the locations that were used in the film. Greenwood also has some powerful Civil Rights monuments to uncover, so head out to pay respects at the Emmett Till Statue, or find the Freedom Trail Marker in the town to learn more about the region’s history.

Cleveland

While it may not be as well-known as another Cleveland you might know, Cleveland, Mississippi, is yet another small town that has a vibrant music community. Homes in the town sit at a median list price of roughly $184,200, and even better for those who like small towns, the population is just under 10,000 people. One of the biggest attractions is the GRAMMY Museum, with exhibits covering the history of the awards, GRAMMY performances, and so much more. If you find yourself more interested in railroads, you can opt to go to the Railroad Heritage Museum to learn more about the impact of railways on the town. If you prefer to simply play some golf, the Cleveland Country Club has you covered with its lush 18-hole course.

Retire To Mississippi

Although picking a place to retire is a difficult decision, it is not hard to see that Mississippi is capable of providing something special to almost everyone. The best part is that, regardless of the town's size, it is quite easy to find wonderfully cost-effective places to retire. Due to the historic nature of Mississippi, you may even be able to find retirement homes that ooze that same kind of history, all without putting too big a dent into those crucial savings. When considering your retirement, think about Mississippi if you are looking for the perfect forever home.