Study: Happiest Cities in Mississippi

Mississippi residents can take the heat in the summer because they're satisfied. Those who live in one of our 10 top happiest cities are blissful in the Hospitality State. Surrounded by friendly folks, these residents are living a bargain, with affordable housing and health care.

Let’s dig deeper into what makes these Mississippians so happy. See if your city made the list or if it’s time to consider moving.

Study Methodology

We didn't want people who live in smaller towns to feel left out, so we started by gathering U.S. Census data and FBI crime statistics for Mississippi cities. Next, we assigned each city a ranking based on how they scored in the seven categories listed below. The cities that made the top 10 had the best cumulative ranking for the following:

1. Restaurants
   
2. Crime rate
   
3. Commute
   
4. Departure time
   
5. Income
   
6. Divorce rate
   
7. Housing

Between fried catfish and Mississippi mud pie, you're sure to find something to hit the spot. We checked out how each city stacks up based on the number of restaurants per capita to see where you'll have the most opportunities to chow down with friends and family.

Part of feeling happy in your hometown means knowing that you and your loved ones are safe. Each of our 10 cities is ranked based on the odds of being the victim of a violent crime.

One of the nice things about moving to a more rural area is that it allows you to escape the heavy traffic, but there may be a trade-off if it takes you a little longer to get to work. We checked each city's average commute time so you'll know where the daily drive is least likely to cause major headaches.

Not everyone is a morning person, but those who are may have an edge. Research suggests that getting up earlier may increase happiness levels if you're able to get more done during the day. We factored in what percentage of residents in each city leave for work before 5 a.m.

Money isn't the key to happiness, but making more of it can improve your mood if you're financially stressed. We were curious about where Mississippi residents are earning the most, so we looked at each city's median household income.

Marriage is meant to be forever, but when couples are dissatisfied, it can lead to divorce. To gauge how well married couples fare, we considered the percentage of men and women in each city who are divorced.

Whether you decide to rent or a buy a home, the most important thing is to make sure it's not a strain on your budget. Otherwise, you could end up regretting your decision. Our final study criterion is based on the percentage of income residents in each city spend on housing.

10 Happiest Cities in Mississippi

10. Long Beach

• Restaurants per capita: 1 per 729 inhabitants
  
• Odds of being the victim of a violent crime: 1 in 3,028.6
  
• Average commute time: 20.7 minutes
  
• Percentage of residents leaving for work before 5 a.m.: 4.7%
  
• Median household income: $56,886
  
• Percentage of residents who are divorced: 10.2% of males, 14.9% of females
  
• Percentage of income spent on housing: 22.4%

The city of Long Beach offers some spectacular views of the Chandeleur Sound as well as convenient access to the larger city of Gulfport. Largely considered a bedroom community, the 15,000 people who live here enjoy of one of the lowest violent crime rates in the state as well as a substantial median income of nearly $57,000. Housing is also considerably cheaper than in Gulfport, and the drive to work is fairly short.

Did You Know: In the early 1900s, Long Beach was a major exporter of radishes, hence its nickname, "Radish Capital of the World."

9. Ridgeland

• Restaurants per capita: 1 per 219 inhabitants
  
• Odds of being the victim of a violent crime: 1 in 645.8
  
• Average commute time: 20.1 minutes
  
• Percentage of residents leaving for work before 5 a.m.: 2.6%
  
• Median household income: $53,509
  
• Percentage of residents who are divorced: 11.8% of males, 13.9% of females
  
• Percentage of income spent on housing: 21.5%

Ridgeland sits just north of Jackson, next to the Ross R. Barnett Reservoir. Safe neighborhoods, a brief average commute and a decent payday are just some of the things the city offers to its 24,000 residents. We should also note that Ridgeland got the best rating for the number of restaurants per capita; locals will tell you that Cock of the Walk serves some of the best catfish in the state.

Did You Know: The Natchez Trace Parkway, a scenic national stretch of road that’s 444 miles long, runs right through Ridgeland.

8. Brookhaven

• Restaurants per capita: 1 per 291 inhabitants
  
• Odds of being the victim of a violent crime: 1 in 896.2
  
• Average commute time: 20.5 minutes
  
• Percentage of residents leaving for work before 5 a.m.: 6.9%
  
• Median household income: $32,772
  
• Percentage of residents who are divorced: 10.7% of males, 15.6% of females
  
• Percentage of income spent on housing: 20.9%

The 12,000 residents of Brookhaven are in agreement about what makes their town such a pleasant place. Violent crime isn't a regular occurrence and housing costs aren't too taxing, accounting for less than 21% of residents' income. Nearly 7% of workers are leaving home before 5 a.m., and on average, it takes them just over 20 minutes to make it to their destination.

Did You Know: One of Brookhaven's most unique landmarks is The Coffee Pot, a former restaurant with a coffee pot roof. Local historians believe it was the first fast food joint in the South.

7. Amory

• Restaurants per capita: 1 per 343 inhabitants
  
• Odds of being the victim of a violent crime: 1 in 907.6
  
• Average commute time: 19.5 minutes
  
• Percentage of residents leaving for work before 5 a.m.: 4.3%
  
• Median household income: $32,600
  
• Percentage of residents who are divorced: 7.1% of males, 15.8% of females
  
• Percentage of income spent on housing: 19.7%

Amory is the embodiment of small town charm, with just under 7,200 residents. Between the safe neighborhoods and housing that doesn't cost an arm and a leg, people have lots to praise. You can get to the office in less than 20 minutes on average, and if you're looking for a good place to grab lunch, Bill's Hamburgers draws rave reviews.

Did You Know: According to local legend, Johnny Cash gave Carl Perkins the inspiration to write the song "Blue Suede Shoes" while the two performed at a concert together in Amory in 1955.

6. Brandon

• Restaurants per capita: 1 per 452 inhabitants
  
• Odds of being the victim of a violent crime: 1 in 3,679.8
  
• Average commute time: 22.6 minutes
  
• Percentage of residents leaving for work before 5 a.m.: 2.6%
  
• Median household income: $67,824
  
• Percentage of residents who are divorced: 9.4% of males, 14.5% of females
  
• Percentage of income spent on housing: 18.4%

There are a number of things that make Brandon so appealing, especially for workers who desire convenient access to nearby Jackson. You won't find a safer city on our list, and its 22,000 residents earn the second-highest median income overall. While housing is more expensive compared to Jackson, you'll shell out a much lower percentage of your income for a home.

Did You Know: The city is named for Gerard C. Brandon, Mississippi's first native governor.

5. Gautier

• Restaurants per capita: 1 per 618 inhabitants
  
• Odds of being the victim of a violent crime: 1 in 305.6
  
• Average commute time: 23.6 minutes
  
• Percentage of residents leaving for work before 5 a.m.: 11.7%
  
• Median household income: $44,649
  
• Percentage of residents who are divorced: 8.5% of males, 12.8% of females
  
• Percentage of income spent on housing: 21.4%

Gautier sits on the shores of the Pascagoula Bay, adjacent to the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge. There are close to 19,000 people residing in the city, and nearly 12% of them don't mind heading to work before the sun is up. Housing costs aren't too much of a stretch, and the trip to work takes less than 24 minutes on average.

Did You Know: The Sandhill Refuge is the only place in the world where the critically endangered Mississippi sandhill crane species can be found.

4. Madison

• Restaurants per capita: 1 per 497 inhabitants
  
• Odds of being the victim of a violent crime: 1 in 1,760.6
  
• Average commute time: 21.6 minutes
  
• Percentage of residents leaving for work before 5 a.m.: 1.5%
  
• Median household income: $96,780
  
• Percentage of residents who are divorced: 6.5% of males, 10.9% of females
  
• Percentage of income spent on housing: 17.8%

Madison is Ridgeland's northern neighbor and it's roughly the same size, with close to 25,000 residents. The reason it rose higher in our rankings can be chalked up in part to the fact that people earn the highest median income here, at nearly $97,000. Madison also boasts the best combined divorce rate in our study, at 17.4 percent, as well as the lowest housing costs based on income.

Did You Know: The Annandale Plantation and Chapel of the Cross are known among Madison locals as ghost hangouts.

3. Pascagoula

• Restaurants per capita: 1 per 530 inhabitants
  
• Odds of being the victim of a violent crime: 1 in 261.4
  
• Average commute time: 17.3 minutes
  
• Percentage of residents leaving for work before 5 a.m.: 12.2%
  
• Median household income: $40,998
  
• Percentage of residents who are divorced: 13.7% of males, 13.2% of females
  
• Percentage of income spent on housing: 22.3%

In at number three on our list is Pascagoula, which styles itself as Mississippi's flagship city. It was hit hard by Hurricane Katrina, but the 22,000 residents who still call Pascagoula home have reasons to smile these days. Pascagoula earned the best rating for the percentage of residents who head out the door to work early, and it also got good marks in the housing and commute categories.

Did You Know: While he currently spends much of his time in Florida singing happy songs, singer Jimmy Buffett was born in Pascagoula.

2. Clinton

• Restaurants per capita: 1 per 560 inhabitants
  
• Odds of being the victim of a violent crime: 1 in 852.4
  
• Average commute time: 20.8 minutes
  
• Percentage of residents leaving for work before 5 a.m.: 3.9%
  
• Median household income: $59,043
  
• Percentage of residents who are divorced: 7.3% of males, 12.3% of females
  
• Percentage of income spent on housing: 19.3%

Clinton is a family-friendly city of around 26,000 people, located northwest of Jackson. Although it didn't top any particular ranking category, it scored well for its median income, housing costs, average commute and violent crime rate. The local restaurants offer a range of regional and international flavors, but if you're in search of all-American cuisine, you'll probably like The Froghead Grill.

Did You Know: Clinton is home to Mississippi College, the oldest university in the state.

1. Crystal Springs

• Restaurants per capita: 1 per 497 inhabitants
  
• Odds of being the victim of a violent crime: 1 in 313.9
  
• Average commute time: 16.6 minutes
  
• Percentage of residents leaving for work before 5 a.m.: 9.9%
  
• Median household income: $39,432
  
• Percentage of residents who are divorced: 13.2% of males, 6.5% of females
  
• Percentage of income spent on housing: 19%

At just shy of 5,000 residents, Crystal Springs is the smallest city to make our list, but it packs a big punch in terms of happiness. Housing doesn't take a huge bite out of your paycheck, and workers enjoy the shortest average commute, at less than 17 minutes. Divorce isn't as common as in other cities, and there are a lot of great places to enjoy lunch or dinner out with friends.

Did You Know: Crystal Springs is the birthplace of the Mississippi Parent Teacher Association.

There's no doubt that Jackson, Mississippi's capital, is a thriving metropolitan area that attracts large numbers of professionals, students and families. When we crunched the numbers, however, we found that the smaller places in our study outshone the bright lights of the big city based on how happy residents are likely to be.