What are the schools like in Meridian, MS?

Meridian is served primarily by Meridian Public Schools. The district operates 5 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 2 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 12.3:1.

What is the median household income in Meridian?

The median household income in Meridian, MS is $32,797 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 8.6%.

What is the weather like in Meridian, MS?

Meridian has an average high temperature of 59.0°F in January and 93.3°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 59.7 inches and annual snowfall averages 0.6 inches.

Meridian, MS Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Meridian, MS affordable or expensive?

Meridian's cost of living index is 89, where 100 represents the national average. This means Meridian is 11% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $97,800 and the median rent is $824 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Meridian, MS?

Crime rate data for Meridian is not currently available from the FBI's reported data.

Is Meridian, MS a Good Place to Live?

Meridian is a small city of 34,990 in Mississippi, with a median household income of $32,797 and a 8.6% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 89 (US average = 100), which is 11% below the national average.

Strengths: Meridian stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B-), short average commutes.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Meridian is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Meridian city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 89.1

Meridian's overall cost of living index is 89.1, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Meridian costs roughly 11% less than the average American city.

Metric	Meridian, MS	National Avg
Median Home Value	$97,800	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$824	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	45.9%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$32,797	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Crime data for Meridian is not currently available from the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program. Not all local agencies report to the UCR each year.

Schools & Education

Meridian is served primarily by Meridian Public Schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.3:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Meridian, MS	National Avg
School District	Meridian Public Schools	—
Elementary Schools	5	—
Middle Schools	2	—
High Schools	2	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	12.3:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	20.2%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	80.3%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Meridian sees average highs of 59.0°F in January and 93.3°F in July, with 59.7 inches of annual precipitation and 0.6 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Meridian, MS
Average High — January	59.0°F
Average High — July	93.3°F
Annual Precipitation	59.7"
Annual Snowfall	0.6"

Demographics

Metric	Meridian, MS	National Avg
Population	34,990	—
Median Age	37.9	38.9
Unemployment Rate	8.6%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	17.9 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	30.7%	59.3%
Black or African American	65.1%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	1.5%	18.9%
Asian	1.1%	6.3%
Under 18	23.8%	22.2%
65 and over	17.5%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Marion, MS 4 mi Nellieburg, MS 5 mi Toomsuba, MS 11 mi Collinsville, MS 12 mi Meridian Station, MS 12 mi

ZIP Codes in Meridian

Meridian, MS is covered by 3 ZIP codes:

39301 39305 39307

Meridian vs Other Cities

Meridian, MS vs Marion, MS Meridian, MS vs Nellieburg, MS Meridian, MS vs Toomsuba, MS Meridian, MS vs Collinsville, MS Meridian, MS vs Meridian Station, MS

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Meridian, MS affordable or expensive?

Meridian's cost of living index is 89, where 100 is the national average. That makes Meridian roughly 11% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $97,800 and median rent is $824/month.

What is the crime rate in Meridian, MS?

Crime data for Meridian is not available in the current FBI UCR reporting year. Not all jurisdictions submit data annually.

What are the schools like in Meridian?

Public schools in Meridian are operated by Meridian Public Schools. The district has 5 elementary, 2 middle, and 2 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.3:1. 20.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Meridian, MS a good place to live?

Meridian, MS has a population of 34,990, a median household income of $32,797, and an unemployment rate of 8.6%. It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Meridian?

Meridian averages 59.0°F in January and 93.3°F in July. Annual rainfall is 59.7 inches with about 0.6 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Meridian?

Meridian, MS is covered by 3 ZIP codes: 39301, 39305, 39307.

What is the population of Meridian?

The population of Meridian, Mississippi is 34,990 with a median age of 37.9. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Meridian?

Key numbers for living in Meridian: cost of living index 89 (100 = US average), median home $97,800, median household income $32,797, schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Meridian side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.