Is Mississippi Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Mississippi, named after the longest river in North America that borders it, is a state in the southeastern part of the United States.

In the south, it is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico.

Mississippi is popular for tourists that want to enjoy its beaches in the south or its vast nature and hunting preserves around the state.

People come from around the country and the world to hunt there.

The north of Mississippi features the foothills that mark the start of the Appalachian Mountains.
 
There is no shortage of natural beauty in the state.
 
The state’s biggest city is Jackson, in the southern part of the state.
 
Jackson is also the state capital.
 
The most popular city for travel is Biloxi because of its location near the southern coast.
 
There is no shortage of things to do for the outdoorsman visiting the state of Mississippi.

Warnings & Dangers in Mississippi

OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM

Mississippi is the 8th ranked state in the country when it comes to crime rates. While this is true, you can still feel safe there because most of the crime is concentrated in areas where tourists wouldn't typically visit. As long as you stay in recommended areas, you will be safe.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

There is hardly ever crime associated with private or public transportation companies in Mississippi. The key to staying safe with transport is to avoid using companies that seem unsafe. The accountability of rideshare apps is great for staying safe while traveling.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

There is a very small chance your wallet or purse will get stolen while traveling in Mississippi. Of course, there is always the chance, but anyone who practices at least moderate safety precautions won't get their stuff stolen.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

Avoid visiting the coastal regions of Mississippi during the late spring when hurricanes are most prevalent. Hurricanes have been known in the past to come up the coast from Florida and Louisiana to decimate the coast of Mississippi near Biloxi.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

There is almost no risk you will get mugged in the state of Mississippi unless you are in particularly unsafe areas of the biggest cities, like Jackson. Just stick to familiar areas where tourists and travelers frequent and you will experience almost zero risk of being mugged or attacked in any way.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

Terrorism is basically non-existent in the state of Mississippi. This is true for both international and domestic incidents in the state. When you travel there, there is no need to be concerned about a terrorist attack in any way.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

Face-to-face scams are non-existent in Mississippi. Your only real chance of getting taken advantage of while you are in the state is when you are booking the hotel, flight, and cars online. Avoid using websites that don't seem trustworthy to book your vacation. Be careful who you give your personal information to online.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

In tourist areas, the risk for women is higher than the risk of being attacked for men. This is true everywhere. The overall risk for women travelers in the area is still extremely low compared to other areas around the world. Overall, Mississippi is safe for women.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

The tap water in Mississippi is supplied from natural sources and treated by facilities around the state. It has been classified as safe to drink, so you can drink safely at any restaurant or straight from the tap where you are staying. There is no reason to carry your own water if you don't want to.

Safest Places to Visit in Mississippi

If safety is your number one concern while you are traveling in Mississippi, the city of Madison might be the place for you.

It’s a great location because it is a suburb of the capital city of Jackson, so you still have access to everything the state’s biggest city has to offer.

Madison also has the lowest crime rate in the state.

This makes it a great place to book your hotel or Air BnB.

If you want to check out the city of Memphis, TN while you are in Mississippi, stay in the suburb of Horn Lake, Mississippi.

It’s also in the top five in the state when it comes to crime rates, making it an ideal place to stay when you want to experience all of the musical histories that the city of Memphis has to offer.

If you stay in one of these two cities, it is extremely unlikely you will have an issue with crime during your trip.

Places to Avoid in Mississippi

If you want to stay safe while you are traveling in Mississippi, there are some areas you will want to avoid.

Jackson is the most violent city, but that is to be expected in any of the bigger cities in the United States.

Even though it has its issues with crime, the crime is localized.

This means you should be OK if you plan on staying in areas that are comfortable for tourists.

One area of Jackson, MS you will want to avoid while you are there is Gautier.

There are areas in Biloxi you will want to avoid while you are there too.

Any city near water generally has issues compared to other areas because of the kind of business that is attracted to the area.

If you are staying in Biloxi, be sure to check online to ensure the hotel you are considering booking is in a crime-free area.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Mississippi

So... How Safe Is Mississippi Really?

Overall, Mississippi is an extremely safe place for tourists to visit and have fun.

Some areas in the state can be dangerous, but they aren’t places that you would typically visit while you are on vacation.

This is true of any area in the world, though.

If you are visiting Jackson or Biloxi, Google neighborhoods or ask your hotel front desk what areas you should avoid while you are there.

Mississippi is the poorest state in the United States, so there are some desperate people there that may want to commit crimes for financial gain there.

The key is to project confidence, avoid bad areas, and never present yourself as someone who could be a victim.

If you are visiting Mississippi to hunt, practice general hunting safety and you should be fine.

The hunters there are experienced and professional, so you shouldn’t have any issues with safety.

Overall, Mississippi is a very safe state for travelers.

How Does Mississippi Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

You don't need a travel visa to visit Mississippi from another country. This is true of the entire United States. You may need a visa if you are planning on staying for a long time or working while you are there. If you are coming to Mississippi internationally, you will need a valid passport.

Currency

The US dollar is the primary form of currency in Mississippi. If you want to use cash while you are there, that is the currency you will need. You can exchange your home currency for USD easily in locations around Mississippi, but the best place to do so is at the airport.

Weather

Mississippi is in the south, so it has extremely mild winters but extremely hot and humid summers. This makes the coast of Mississippi a popular place for travelers looking for a place to warm up in the winter.

Airports

Jackson-Evers International Airport is the biggest airport in the state of Mississippi. It is likely where you will fly in if you come from another country. It's in the middle of the state, so you can access most areas of the state quickly once you land.

Travel Insurance

Before you travel, purchase travel insurance for your trip. Doing so will protect your investment if you have to cancel a hotel, plane ticket, or some other kind of reservation. Most travel insurance protects you regardless of the reason for your cancelation, including weather reasons.

Mississippi Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

Mississippi - Safety by City