Are you curious about the best spots to put down roots in Mississippi? Do you find yourself asking what is the best place to live in Mississippi? Well, I've rounded up the top 10 best places to live in Mississippi that offer a mix of charm, community vibes, and all-around good living.

Whether you're into small-town coziness or city buzz, these Mississippi gems have something special to offer. Let's dive into why they're the cream of the crop when it comes to places to call home in the Magnolia State!

1. Best Small Town: Bay St. Louis

Named one of the Coolest Small Towns in America by Budget and Travel Magazine, Bay St. Louis has something for everyone – oceanfront views, a small-town vibe, and a hip Old Town area filled with great restaurants, galleries, and more.

And as if it couldn’t get any better, the art scene is really flourishing thanks to the city’s monthly Second Saturday Artwalk. The one-day fest is filled with art shows, live entertainment, and local cuisine. It is certainly one of the best places to live in Mississippi.

2. Best City for Education: Pass Christian

Pass Christian High School, which is part of the Pass Christian School District, has been nationally recognized due to its students' high levels of achievement. The school district itself has also achieved a number of noteworthy accolades in the past.

Three of the district's four schools were recognized as No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education. The district has earned the highest academic performance rating, an A, for five years in a row, and the Mississippi Department of Education has recognized the district for Outstanding Achievement and as an Exemplar for the Betterment of Education in all Schools Across the State of Mississippi. Pass Christian is one of the best cities in Mississippi!

3. Best Place to Raise a Family: Long Beach

This coastal community is made up of the stuff families dream about. Aside from its gorgeous seaside location, Long Beach has an extremely low crime rate, excellent quality of life, and schooling advantages.

The city’s incredible attributes have earned it a number of accolades, including a spot on Movoto’s list of the 10 Best Places to Live in Mississippi and being named the best beach town for young families. It is where to live in Mississippi.

4. Best City Overall: Madison

Still wondering, is Mississippi a good place to live? Well, here's more evidence.

At one time, Madison was simply a small farming community, but not anymore. Today, the city is home to more than 25,000 residents and encourages continued growth by providing abundant resources for new business owners. Even with its considerable growth and close proximity to Jackson - Madison still maintains a small-town vibe, evident in the city's low crime rate - a statistic attributed to a vigilant police force and the variety of safety programs introduced.

In addition to being loved by its residents, the town has been nationally recognized by a number of publications such as Family Circle, Southern Living Magazine, and U.S. News, earning top rankings in categories such as the most livable city in the state, the best town for families, one of the best places to retire, and one of the best places to live in Mississippi.

5. Best Mid-Sized City: Oxford

Named by Forbes as one of the fastest-growing small towns, Oxford’s population hovers around 26,000 residents, which shouldn’t come as a surprise with all the city has to offer.

Often referred to as the Cultural Mecca of the South, Oxford has a lot going on as far as the arts. The creative melting pot of the city has a robust literary history, a thriving and diverse music scene, and a ton of museums and galleries.

Aside from the arts, Oxford also offers award-winning restaurants and diverse shopping and is, of course, home to the University of Mississippi, which earned Oxford the number six spot on USA Today’s list of the best college towns in the country in the past. It is one of the best cities in Mississippi.

6. Safest City: Petal

Nicknamed The Friendly City, it should come as no surprise that Petal is one of the safest places in Mississippi. Petal (part of the Hattiesburg Metropolitan Area) is a small town known for its strong community spirit, excellent schools, and a generally safe environment.

Petal has a reputation for being a family-friendly and close-knit community with a relatively low crime rate compared to larger cities. The city government and local law enforcement agencies work hard to maintain public safety and provide services to residents. It's just one of those places where safety and community go hand in hand.

7. Best Kept Secret: Snow Lake Shores

It turns out that Snow Lake Shores is just as beautiful as the name suggests. It used to be a private resort community with the promise of being a safe, family-friendly place for people to vacation and live year-round - it wasn't until 1996 that Snow Lake Shores became an incorporated town.

Today, the current population is only about 300; however, that number normally triples during the summer months as seasonal residents and vacationers come to the community – and with such picturesque scenery, who could blame them? Not only is it where to live in Mississippi, but it's also where to vacation.

8. Best Place to Retire: Hattiesburg

Although home to the University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of a retirement community. However, it has been ranked as one of the best places to retire and is even a Certified Retirement Community.

Its affordability and proximity to numerous doctor's offices make it an ideal location for retirees. And if you're looking for some fun, the Hattiesburg Zoo is just one of the many attractions that make this city one of the best in Mississippi, no matter your age.

9. Best Seaside Town: Ocean Springs

Appropriately named a Dream Town by Coastal Living, Ocean Springs has a lot to offer. The gem of the Gulf Coast is one of the best places to live and vacation in Mississippi as it's a perfect mashup of independent shops, art galleries, and culinary treasures, most of which are in the quaint historic district.

The city comes alive at night thanks to several venues featuring live music on a nightly basis. And for those looking for some rest, Ocean Springs has got you covered. The city is practically surrounded by the Gulf Islands National Seashore and filled with cozy cottages, perfect for a much-needed beach getaway.

10. Best Place for Business and Careers: Jackson

The state capital has nabbed spots on a number of Forbes’ lists for qualities such as a favorable cost of doing business, excellent job growth, and the list of the Best Places for Business and Careers – a nationwide ranking of 200 cities.

In addition to being a great place for business, Jackson has a low cost of living and unemployment rate, making it one of the best cities in Mississippi.

Did your hometown make the list of where to live in Mississippi? Do you think they are among some of the best places to live in Mississippi? Let me know - I'd love to hear from you!

And if you're planning to take a weekend road trip to check out some of the towns and are looking for a place to stay, be sure to check out these lovely vacation rentals!