Thinking of moving to Jackson, Mississippi? The City of Soul is home to incredible entertainment, affordable housing, and stunning outdoor recreation. Check out these 13 things to know about living in Jackson!
Discover Affordable Living in the South
If you’re looking for an affordable city in the South where you can settle down, Jackson is a great option! In fact, Jackson’s cost of living is 17% lower than the national average, making it one of the most affordable U.S. cities to live in. This affordability is perhaps most noticeable in the housing market, since the median home cost is 51% lower than the national average—and the average rental rate is 10% lower. Plus, the State of Mississippi offers a variety of resources for homebuyers and property owners, including tax credits and down payment assistance.
Work in Jackson’s Thriving Job Market
Looking for jobs in Jackson? This Mississippi city has an impressively low unemployment rate of 2.6% and offers careers in major industries like manufacturing, healthcare, education, banking, and more. Seek employment in government at the State of Mississippi, one of its capital city’s biggest employers. Find jobs in food processing, production, and management at Cal-Maine Foods. Seek a job in the manufacturing and supply chain industry at Nissan or Continental Tire. Find positions in nursing, research, or business administration at The University of Mississippi Medical Center, Mississippi Baptist Medical Center, or St. Dominic’s Hospital. Work in the banking industry at the Jackson office of Trustmark. Or further your career as an educator at Jackson Public Schools, the 3rd-largest public school district in Mississippi.
Attend Highly-Rated Colleges & Universities
Looking to further your education in Jackson? The city and surrounding suburbs provide a variety of highly-rated colleges and universities to choose from. Earn your bachelor’s degree in philosophy, mathematics, or geophysics at Millsaps College. Pursue a master’s degree in data science, health administration, or teaching at Belhaven University. Root for the Tigers (NCAA D-I), and explore programs in chemistry, healthcare administration, biomedical engineering, and more at Jackson State University. Work on a graduate degree in programs like accounting, chemistry, or computer science at the private Mississippi College. Play intramural sports while studying the arts and humanities at Hinds Community College’s Jackson Campus—or explore programs in healthcare at the college’s Nursing Allied Health Center. Earn a degree in neuroscience, clinical anatomy, or dentistry at The University of Mississippi Medical Center. Or get prerequisites for your four-year education with one of 80 programs of study at Holmes Community College.
Get Around the City with Ease
Though most Jackson residents own cars, there are also a few other transportation options to help you travel locally or beyond the city. For local public transportation, hop on a Jackson Transit System (JTRAN) bus to travel throughout the Jackson metro. For longer distances, take the Jackson Amtrak train for direct routes to New Orleans, Chicago, and Memphis—or board a domestic flight at the Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport. Residents who prefer to get around by car can take advantage of quick commutes via I-20, I-55, and I-220, as well as U.S. highways 80, 51, 49, and more. Plus, Downtown Jackson is the state’s most walkable neighborhood, which is perfect for residents who prefer to get around on foot.
Take Advantage of Jackson’s Warm Weather
One of the best things about living in Jackson is the subtropical climate! The region is known for experiencing warm, humid summers and mild winters. With 211 sunny days per year and annual temperatures ranging from 35 to 92 degrees on average, you can enjoy reasonably nice weather and sunshine year-round while still getting to experience the seasons. The city also receives about 54 inches of rain each year—which is quite a bit more than the U.S. average of 38 inches. Winters are known to dump an inch or two of snow every few years, and spring and fall seasons are brief but pleasant. However, Jackson also experiences hurricanes and tornadoes, so it’s best to be prepared by assembling an emergency kit and preparing an evacuation plan.
Embrace the Outdoors in the City of Soul
Looking to spend time outside in Jackson? The city has many outdoor recreation opportunities! Go fishing, hunting, camping, or boating at the 33,000-acre Barnett Reservoir. Hike nature trails, play a quick nine holes, or set up your campsite at the 305-acre LeFleur’s Bluff State Park. Play frisbee, host a family picnic, or challenge friends to a game of soccer at Laurel Street Park. Attend an outdoor concert, take a yoga class, or play a game of kickball at Belhaven Heights Park. Check out gardens featuring azaleas, camellias, and daylilies—and keep an eye out for wild songbirds—at Mynelle Gardens. Or pick up farm-fresh fruits and vegetables, local canned goods, and handmade gifts at the Mississippi Farmers Market.
Take In Jackson’s Rich History
Jackson’s rich history is showcased at its many museums and historical sites! Visit more than a dozen Mississippi Blues Trail sites in Jackson to learn the story of “The Birthplace of America’s Music.” View galleries like Cultural Crossroads or Promise and Peril at the Museum of Mississippi History. Learn more about the state’s Civil Rights Movement with exhibits like The Mississippi Freedom Struggle and A Closed Society at the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum. Check out markers from the Civil Rights Movement on the Mississippi Freedom Trail. Explore interactive exhibits to learn about the role of legislature in a building that dates back to 1839 at the Old Capitol Museum in Downtown Jackson. Or tour the historic Eudora Welty House & Garden, home of one of America’s most prominent authors.
Find Family-Friendly Activities in Jackson
There are plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy in Jackson! Let the kids explore exhibits like the Wonderbox, Healthy Fun, and Wild About Reading at the Mississippi Children’s Museum. See southern white rhinoceroses, American cougars, chimpanzees, and more at The Jackson Zoo. View wildlife fossils, go to the Dinosaurs Around the World: The Great Outdoors exhibit, or check out over 200 marine species in the aquarium at the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science. Attend events like Harvest Fest and Homestead for the Holidays—or visit the Children’s Barnyard at the Mississippi Agriculture & Forestry Museum. Get competitive with a game of family bowling at Highball Lanes. Or go camping, hit up the splash park, and spend a day swimming at Sandy Beach when you visit Jellystone Park Pelahatchie, which is just a 30-minute drive from Jackson.
Take Part in Fun Jackson Events
If you’re looking for fun things to do in Jackson, attend an annual festival or event! Run a marathon or half marathon through Downtown Jackson during the annual Mississippi Blues Marathon. Celebrate Mississippi makers and artisans with live music, local art, and food vendors at the Mississippi Makers Fest. Enjoy games and contests, live music, and pickle-themed refreshments at the Mississippi Pickle Fest. Find a diverse group of guests from movies, television, anime, video games, and cartoons at Mississippi Comic Con. Meet fellow book lovers, attend panels featuring your favorite authors, get your books signed, and more at the Mississippi Book Festival. Catch live performances, food, and holiday decor at Deck the District. Or take part in the 40-year tradition of celebrating St. Patrick’s Day at the annual Hal’s St. Paddy’s Parade & Festival.
Attend Events at the Mississippi Coliseum
Built in 1962 atop the extinct Jackson Volcano, the Mississippi Coliseum hosts a variety of fun things to do in Jackson! Attend outdoor concerts, ride the Ferris wheel and the merry-go-round, shop from local vendors, and more at the Mississippi State Fair. Watch the livestock show, see cowboys wrangle bulls, and listen to live entertainment from country music artists at the Dixie National Rodeo. Celebrate the holiday season by getting tickets to the Mannheim Steamroller Christmas concert. Or attend holiday markets, ice shows, monster truck shows, and a number of other events throughout the year!
Explore Jackson Arts & Culture
Jackson has an incredible arts scene with access to many museums, theaters, and music venues. Stroll through exhibits like New Symphony of Time or Pre-Columbian Art, or attend art classes like Art in Mind at the Mississippi Museum of Art. Walk through exhibits like Legacy of Timbuktu or Journey to Understanding: Palestine & Israel Unveiled at the International Museum of Muslim Cultures. Visit the Arts Center of Mississippi to see incredible performances from Ballet Mississippi, Opera Mississippi, and the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra. Watch dancers show off their artistic talent at the USA International Ballet Competition. Grab tickets to plays and musicals like The Mountaintop or Little Women at New Stage Theatre. Take a Tour of the city’s diverse landscape to appreciate the many public art displays. Or listen to blues music at Duling Hall, a live music venue converted from a 1928 elementary school.
Dine at Delicious Jackson Restaurants
There are plenty of great Jackson restaurants to check out! Order comfort foods like the Philly, Classic Chocolate Shake, and Patty Melt at Brent’s Drugs, an iconic Jackson diner that’s been operating since 1946. Get the Catfish Platter, Mashed Potatoes, or Pork Chop at Johnny T’s Bistro & Blues. Grab delicious food like Chicken Fajitas, a Smokehouse Burger, or Red Fish Tacos at The Iron Horse Grill. Indulge in Jackson seafood favorites like Fried Oysters, Cajun Seafood Pasta, or Fried Calamari at Saltine Restaurant. Enjoy Mediterranean fare like the Chicken Yavne Pita Wrap, Heart of Palm Salad, or Baklava at Keifer’s. Feast on BBQ Tacos, Smoked Wings, or a Pulled Pork Plate at The Pig & Pint. Or start with the Tempura Mushroom Trio followed by the Duck Fat Poached Swordfish or Wild Boar Osso Buco at Elvie’s.
Enjoy Jackson’s Nightlife
Looking to have a fun night out on the town? Check out Jackson’s nightlife spots! Dance the night away while sipping a variety of beers and cocktails at Hideaway nightclub. Attend events like Trivia Thursday or Friday Karaoke while taking advantage of happy hour at the LGBTQ-friendly Shade Pub and Nightclub. Enjoy live music, Frozen Daiquiris, and fun events like A Vibe Thriller Night at Vibe. Attend trivia night and try cocktails like the Pisco Sour or Sazerac at the Library Lounge inside the Fairview Inn. Listen to jazz bands or other local artists at retro venue Hal & Mal’s. Order a Cosmopolitan, Casa Berry Punch, or Whiskey Sour at the 4th Avenue Lounge. Try craft beers like the Interwoven, Fondren Fog, or Forgotten Space at Fertile Ground Beer Co. Or watch local comedians perform at the MikeTown Comedy Club.
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