When you close your eyes and think about the state of Mississippi, Jackson likely isn’t what comes to mind. The state capital is home to a variety of urban amenities, ranging from art centers like the Mississippi Museum of Art to sports teams like the Mississippi Braves, one of Atlanta’s beloved minor league baseball clubs. Despite this, transplants might be surprised to learn that Jackson’s housing prices tend to be well below the national median, allowing residents to enjoy everything it has to offer for less.

When you close your eyes and think about the state of Mississippi, you’ll likely picture abysmal summer heat amplified by brutal humidity. That aspect of the South is one Jackson can't avoid. Extreme weather can also be unrelated to heat, as tornadoes and brutal storms also call Jackson their occasional home. Jackson residents also complain about crime and crumbling infrastructure, but amidst the revitalization projects hope springs eternal.


An Urban Island Down South

LookyLOO Review of Jackson

Despite being a primarily urban area, Jackson residents are recognized for maintaining much of the city's classic Southern charm. Locals are proud to call Jackson home and are known for having created a proud, tight-knit community. A great restaurant scene with all of the Southern staples and more is something that Jackson is often lauded for. One of the souls of American music, Jackson’s rich history of phenomenal R&B, blues, and jazz musicians still exists. Families that raise their children here get a mix of urban energy and small-town historic charm in many of the city neighborhoods. 

If you're interested in seeing what people get up to in Jackson check out the [calendar of events](https://www.visitjackson.com/events/).

We highly recommend visiting Jackson and staying in the community in a [VRBO](https://vrbo.com/affiliate/p4JS4ZC) rather than a hotel to get a feel for what it's like to live among the locals. You can receive discounted fares on travel via our [partnership with Expedia](expedia.com/affiliate/9NZ8LBQ) as well.

Lifestyle

Healthcare job opportunities are plentiful in Jackson, with the Mississippi State Hospital, Mississippi Baptist Medical Center, and the University of Mississippi Medical Center all hiring. As the state capital, working for the government is also common, with the state of Mississippi and the U.S. government being two of the largest employers in Jackson. Overall, the average annual salary in Jackson is well below the national average, although that is balanced by the lower cost of living.


Worklife

If you’re a lover of Southern Hospitality and small town charm but crave all of that in a bigger city package then Jackson is a solid option to consider. It’s an urban experience in a part of the country where those are few and far between.


Southern Hospitality

Why You Should Move Here Now?

**yazuyuzu**
8mo ago
🦉🦉🦉🦉

We live in Belhaven and love it. In addition to here and Fondren, Northeast Jackson is where a lot of our friends live. There are plenty of neighborhoods off of meadowbrook and Northside east of 55 with young families/professionals.

For more reviews of what living in Jackson is like from locals, check out [The Reviews](https://lookyloomove.com/locations/jackson/reviews).

Reviews of Jackson from Locals

If you’re young but aching to live amidst a creative community then look at Midtown. It’s the  heart of the arts district and is filled with boutique shops, galleries and music experiences. It also is filled with collaboratives and cafes so even struggling artists can find a way to create, be seen and be heard at venues like The Hub and Soul Wired Cafe. It has plenty of cheap living options in divided homes and apartment buildings for getting your start. 
If you're a more white collar professional then check out Downtown. Tons of renovations in the area have made it one of the cooler downtowns in the country with amazing living options in the Hotel King Edwards and Standard Life Buildings. There’s plenty of restaurants, bars and culture amidst the prime office locations so if you’re anxious to have a walkable lifestyle then this is your spot. 
- Midtown/Pearl
- Downtown


Young Professionals

Midtown

Couples and Singles who want to be near or in commercial districts but get some reprieve from downtown type of chaos should look at Belhaven. It’s a historic neighborhood that borders downtown and has its own quieter but excellent restaurants, pubs and cultural options like the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science. It’s also home to Millsaps College and Belhaven University which make the neighborhood feel more like a small college town than a city in the heart of downtown. 
- Belhaven
- Fondren District


DINKs/SINKs

Fondren District

Families interested in stunning, historic homes, and a commercial district with tons of culture should start their search in Belhaven. The neighborhood is filled with the city’s oldest and most beautiful parks for the kiddos to run around in, two theaters, great boutique and convenience shopping, and it's right near downtown for when you want a big night out or want a short commute to work. If on the other hand you’re looking for a more traditional suburb style neighborhood check out The Country Club. A gated neighborhood with custom homes, tree-lined streets, and a stunning family-focused Country Club center with golf, pool, dining and everything else to make it feel like you’re part of a close community.
- Belhaven
- The Country Club
- Northpointe
- Meadowbrook Highlands


Families

Belhaven

Jackson

**yazuyuzu**
8mo ago
🦉🦉🦉🦉

We live in Belhaven and love it. In addition to here and Fondren, Northeast Jackson is where a lot of our friends live. There are plenty of neighborhoods off of meadowbrook and Northside east of 55 with young families/professionals.

**reblynn2012**
8mo ago
🦉🦉🦉🦉

I lived in Belhaven several years ago and loved it then and love it now. It’s wonderful. I’m not into night life so much anymore except wine and music at home lol, so you may be discouraged coming from NOLA, but I’m sure if I were young again I’d definitely find myself some good bars. Welcome to Jackson. My hometown.

**thepoopatroopa**
8mo ago
🦉🦉🦉

Hey u/yeti_legs9000 - congrats on graduating college! Psyched to hear you've gotten a great job lined up and even more jazzed to hear that it's in the Jackson area.

I also moved to Jackson for a great job immediately after college out-of-state and have loved my time in the city. Like you, I really wanted to be able to engage in the city that I was moving to and, for better and for worse, ended up falling in love with where I live.

That being said: Living in Jackson isn't for everybody. The good news is that living in Jackson isn't permanent. You're young, bright, and obviously have these exciting opportunities in front of you. If you move to Jackson and love it - great! If you move and hate it - dang, but okay! Your journey is your journey and only you know what's best for you.

**dignifiedhowl**
9mo ago
🦉🦉🦉

I love it here. “Bad” is a subjective judgment. We have challenges; every city has challenges.

Jackson is the only city in the state with a six-digit population. It’s a very poor, very rural state, so would any Mississippi city with a six-digit population have Jackson’s problems? Maybe. It’s a sample size of one.

Critics of Jackson also need to distinguish stereotypical criticisms of majority-Black, Black-run cities in general from specific criticisms of Jackson in particular, and a good way to do that would be to name and celebrate a majority-Black, Black-run city in Mississippi that you consider to be thriving and would be happy to live in. If you can’t do that, it may be worth reflecting on whether racial stereotypes play a role in your assessment of Jackson.

But yeah, I love it here. 

Jackson, Mississippi

City with Soul

Looklyloo Score: 79

Reviews

What's it like to live in Jackson?