Welcome to the Hospitality State

SEVEN REASONS LIFE IS BETTER IN MISSISSIPPI.

Barnett Reservoir in Ridgeland is a popular waterway for boaters and kayakers.

ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

by Savannah King

Affordability: Mississippi off ers the lowest cost of living out of all 50 states. According to U.S. News & World Report, the state’s average cost of living index is 84.10. The U.S. average cost of living index is 100. Housing is aff ordable as well, with an average price of $252,725.
Higher Education: Mississippi is home to some of the best public universities in the country, including four renowned research institutions, one medical school and several publicprivate research and development partnerships across the state. Mississippi’s 15 community and junior colleges provide the state’s workforce with a wide variety of education and training programs.
Southern Charm: From the Appalachian foothills in north Mississippi to the Gulf Coast, Mississippi off ers an extensive sampling of southern hospitality and charm. Popular cities to visit include Oxford, Bay St. Louis, Ocean Springs, Natchez, Tupelo and Hattiesburg.
Adventure Abounds: Mississippi’s outdoor amenities are extensive. For those who enjoy canoeing, kayaking, cycling, hiking, fi shing and hunting, Mississippi is a haven of outdoorsmanship and adventure. Mississippi is home to 24 state parks, eight national parks and three cultural heritage areas. Outside of the Delta area, the state is heavily forested with a number of national forests and wildlife refuges.
Secret Coast: The Mississippi Gulf Coast’s beautiful beaches off er a wealth of outdoor adventures, including paddling and deep-sea fi shing, with over 60 miles of gorgeous white sand beaches. The coastal region is also known as the “Playground of the South” because it boasts unlimited entertainment with casinos, restaurants and clubs.
Unique Culture: Known as the “Birthplace of America’s Music,” Mississippi’s artistic, cultural heritage and history are vast and storied. Several museums and historic marker trails across the state highlight diff erent aspects, including the Country Music and Blues Trails, Jackson Museum, the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, the GRAMMY Museum, and the Museum of Mississippi History.
Sports: From tailgating college football games at Mississippi State University, Ole Miss or Southern Miss, to enjoying the back nine at one of the state’s more than 140 golf courses, Mississippi off ers something for sports enthusiasts across the board.

Savannah King
Managing Editor of Custom Content

Savannah King is managing editor of custom content for Conway Inc. She is an award-winning journalist and previously wrote for The Times in Gainesville, Ga. She graduated from the University of West Florida with a degree in Broadcast Journalism and lives near Atlanta.