Smart Movers Club

    Moving to Meridian, MS

    Is Meridian a good place to live?

    Watch Meridian

    Meridian ranks #14 of 16 Mississippi cities with 25,000+ people on the Smart Movers livability score (25/100), which weighs home affordability, unemployment, education and population growth. Population fell 1.5% in the latest Census year.

    Median home value
    $100,800
    +3.1% vs prior year
    Median rent
    $865
    per month
    Household income
    $34,657
    median
    Unemployment
    7.2%
    lower is better

    Cost of living in Meridian

    The median home value in Meridian is $100,800 and median rent is $865 a month, against a median household income of $34,657. Homes cost about 2.9× a year of income (under 3× is considered affordable).

    Meridian crime rate

    City-level FBI figures vary by agency; across Mississippi the 2025 rate was 224 violent and 1,315 property crimes per 100,000 people — #37 highest of 50 states. The full report breaks down local trends.

    Moving to Meridian, MS

    Meridian has about 34,466 residents, 7.2% unemployment and 12% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher.

    Compare Meridian with

    Meridian vs JacksonMeridian vs GulfportMeridian vs SouthavenMeridian vs BiloxiMeridian vs HattiesburgMeridian vs Olive BranchMeridian vs TupeloMeridian vs Greenville

    More: Where to move in Mississippi · Best counties in Mississippi

    Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023, compared with 2022); FBI Crime Data Explorer.

    Home listings, local news, migration, schools, resources and the Smart Movers Grade & Verdict.

    See the full Smart Movers Club report