The day-to-day of life in Mississippi is for those who value balance and a little extra cash in their pocket.
Unique cultural experiences home to the state take one through chapters of the state’s extensive history, whose understanding gives insight to influences found in Mississippi’s cuisine, entertainment, attractions, communities and most importantly, its people. Millions of visitors make way to the state annually to indulge in an authentic southern vacation, although it may be worthwhile to begin planning a permanent stay.
Mississippi already boasts the advantages of housing costs being 40% lower and the cost of living being 14% lower than national averages, but resident savings aren’t wrapping up here.
House Bill 1, otherwise known as the Build Up Mississippi Act, officially moves to remove the state’s individual income tax. As outlined in the legislation passed in March 2025, the current income tax rates will fall to 3% by 2030, annually decreasing until it reaches zero. The Act will additionally reduce Mississippi’s grocery sales tax from 7% to 5% beginning in July 2025.
Throughout the year, Olive Branch residents can find a range of community events such as festivals and farmers markets.
Photos courtesy of Visit DeSoto County
The move falls in line with strategic personal income tax cuts Gov. Tate Reeves and state leadership have been keen to address, coming in just three years following the passage of House Bill 531. Dubbed the Mississippi Tax Freedom Act, the 2022 legislation was the initial step in reducing the state individual income tax, which consequentially delivered $500 million back to residents.
“We are truly an open door.”
— Kim Terrell, Olive Branch Director of Community Development
“This is more than a policy victory,” said Reeves. “From my days as lieutenant governor to my first campaign for this office – and every legislative session since – I have made this my mission. Because I believe in a simple idea: that the government should take less so that you can keep more. That our people should be rewarded for hard work, not punished. And that Mississippi has the potential to be a magnet for opportunity, for investment, for talent – and for families looking to build a better life.”
Once completely phased out, Mississippi will become the 10th U.S. state to wipe the tax off of its residents. Upon signing House Bill 1 in March 2025, Reeves expressed how proud he was to enter this final stretch of eliminating Mississippi’s individual income tax.
WHM certified city Southaven’s approach to welcoming new residents, including new offerings like mixed-use development Silo Square, inspired Olive Branch leadership to pursue the program.
Photo courtesy of Silo Square
“Let me say that again: Mississippi will no longer tax the work, the earnings, or the ambition of its people,” he said. “The legislation I’m signing today puts us in a rare class of elite, competitive states. There are only a handful of states in the country that do not tax income. Today, Mississippi joins their ranks – and in doing so, we plant our flag.”
Mississippi Welcomes You
When it’s time to clock out of the office for good, communities across Mississippi are positioned to make life’s next chapter a memorable one.
Over 30 years ago, the state’s leadership created the Welcome Home Mississippi program to attract retirees across the nation to the Magnolia State. The program highlights the quality of life and benefits of living in Mississippi, which drove $25.9 million toward the state’s economy and created more than 200 jobs in 2017 alone, according to a 2019 study conducted by Mississippi State University.
Communities across every region of the state — Aberdeen, Brandon, Cleveland, Hattiesburg, Madison, Natchez, New Albany, Oxford, Picayune, Southaven, Starkville and Vicksburg — have secured certified retirement city status. Each city presents their own unique characteristics that translate across its local cuisine, retail, outdoor recreation activities, events and more. All Welcome Home Mississippi communities boast the same advantages of the state’s affordable housing, quality medical care, educational institutions, low property taxes, low cost of living and now, no state income tax.
Vicksburg is one of several Mississippi cities that are certified as Welcome Home Mississippi (WHM) communities.
Photo courtesy of Visit Mississippi
Olive Branch is the program’s latest arrival, announced as the 13th certified retirement city in April 2025. For over 15 years the city has experienced steady population growth according to U.S. Census Bureau data, welcoming an estimated 13,881 new residents since 2010. Olive Branch Director of Community Development Kim Terrell shares that the city’s leadership took notice of the program’s success in neighboring city Southaven over the years, aiming to emulate the same momentum moving forward.
“It was one more opportunity for people to experience all that Olive Branch has to offer. We are a thriving community that offers both comfort and convenience as we continue to grow,” says Terrell. “Forbes and Money magazine have named Olive Branch as one of the ‘Best Places to Live’ and a ‘Top American City to Raise a Family,’ and yet we’re still a city we proudly say is a great place to live, work, play and worship.”
Terrell, who will oversee Olive Branch’s retirement program, notes that as the city beings preparations we can expect to see involvement take on new levels from both local leadership and the community. This formula is designed to align the community, ensuring support is readily available to new residents. For retirees moving in, these connections will play a key role in raising awareness about ways to get involved in the city, new activities or educational opportunities to take part in, and most importantly, a helping hand where needed.
“Our mayor began several committees where citizens serve and have an opportunity to voice an opinion, share experiences and get involved as much as they would like or simply receive the information they want and enjoy their new city. There will be potential growth as families come to visit the retirees who have moved here and see themselves living here as well,” says Terrell. “We are truly an open door.”
