What it's like to live in Ridgeland
Ridgeland is a small city in Mississippi with home prices that remain within reach, county unemployment below the national average, commutes that run shorter than most cities, and a highly educated workforce. Those factors carry real weight for anyone weighing where to move next.
The tradeoffs are worth naming plainly. Ridgeland deals with household incomes below the national average, a rent burden that leaves many renters stretched thin, hot summers, and above-average rainfall.
The good
- Affordable home prices
- Low unemployment in the county
- Short commutes
- Highly educated workforce
- Low student-teacher ratio
The not so good
- Below-average household incomes
- High rent burden for renters
- Hot summers
- Above-average rainfall
- Smaller place — fewer dining and entertainment options
- Car-dependent — few commuters use transit
How Ridgeland compares
Median household income
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
What it takes to move to Ridgeland
Based on Ridgeland's median rent, home value and household income
To rent
$2,672
up front: first month plus a typical one-month deposit
- Income to keep rent under 30%: $53,440 a year
- 52% of Ridgeland renters spend 30% or more of their income on rent
To buy
$55,040
a 20% down payment on the median home
- With 10% down: $27,520
- Homes cost 4.2× the typical local household income (US: 4.1×)
Moving costs, closing costs and taxes not included.
The details
Cost of livingNear US average
$1,336/mo median rent
Cost of living works in this city's favor. Median rent sits around $1,336 a month, nothing that raises eyebrows. Solid value overall. Home prices are reasonable, with a median around $275,200. Not a steal, but not intimidating either.
Median home value $275,200 · 52% of renters cost-burdened
Job market
3.1% county unemployment
Unemployment in Madison County is 3.1%, a little below the national average of 4.3%. That's the county-wide rate; BLS doesn't measure a place this size on its own.
Madison County (county-wide)
Safety▼ 12% below US
320 violent crimes per 100k
Crime runs about typical for a city this size. Some neighborhoods are safer than others, and one overall rate doesn't tell the whole story, so a neighborhood-level look matters more than the headline stat.
Property crime 1385/100k · Ridgeland Police Department · 2024 data
Getting around▼ 19% below US
21 min average commute
Commutes are reasonable, averaging 21.1 minutes. Nothing heroic, and there's still time left over for a life after work. 9 in 10 workers drive to work; 9% work from home.
How workers get to work
Climate
Summers are hot and humid, with highs regularly hitting 92°F, and winters are chilly but manageable, with lows around 39°F. Rainfall is regular throughout the year.
Average month
30-year averages, 1991–2020
Education & workforce▲ 44% above US
52% bachelor's degree or higher
This is a highly educated city, with over half the adult population holding a college degree. That tends to shape the job market and the broader culture, and it's a solid indicator of a strong professional scene.
Schools
5 public schools inside the boundary
There are 5 public schools inside the boundary and 2 private schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 13:1, well below the national average of 16:1. Smaller class sizes are generally a positive sign for a district.
Parks & recreation
The nearest national park or historic site is Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument (6 miles away). There are 4 national parks and sites within a day's drive.
Bottom line
Ridgeland's strongest points are home prices that remain within reach and county unemployment below the national average; the main tradeoffs are household incomes below the national average and a rent burden that leaves many renters stretched thin. A year of median rent ($1,336/mo) equals 24% of the median household income here, more than the 21% typical nationwide. It tends to suit job seekers (county-wide unemployment is low), people who want short commutes, and college-educated professionals. It may be a harder fit for anyone who doesn't drive.
Other places near Ridgeland
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