What are the schools like in Ripley, MS?

Ripley is served primarily by South Tippah School District. The district operates 1 elementary schools, 1 middle schools, and 2 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 12.3:1.

What is the median household income in Ripley?

The median household income in Ripley, MS is $53,175 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 9.6%.

What is the weather like in Ripley, MS?

Ripley has an average high temperature of 48.8°F in January and 89.6°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 57.6 inches and annual snowfall averages 1.6 inches.

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

Q: Is Ripley, MS affordable or expensive?

Ripley's cost of living index is 89, where 100 represents the national average. This means Ripley is 11% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $140,400 and the median rent is $658 per month.

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

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

Is Ripley, MS a Good Place to Live?

Ripley is a small town of 5,440 in Mississippi, with a median household income of $53,175 and a 9.6% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 89 (US average = 100), which is 11% below the national average.

Strengths: Ripley 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 Ripley is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Ripley 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

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

Metric	Ripley, MS	National Avg
Median Home Value	$140,400	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$658	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	68.7%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$53,175	$74,755

Crime & Safety

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

Schools & Education

Ripley is served primarily by South Tippah School District. The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.3:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Ripley, MS	National Avg
School District	South Tippah School District	—
Elementary Schools	1	—
Middle Schools	1	—
High Schools	2	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	12.3:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	18.9%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	74.5%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Ripley sees average highs of 48.8°F in January and 89.6°F in July, with 57.6 inches of annual precipitation and 1.6 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Ripley, MS
Average High — January	48.8°F
Average High — July	89.6°F
Annual Precipitation	57.6"
Annual Snowfall	1.6"

Demographics

Metric	Ripley, MS	National Avg
Population	5,440	—
Median Age	39.0	38.9
Unemployment Rate	9.6%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	19.2 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	59.5%	59.3%
Black or African American	19.4%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	11.3%	18.9%
Asian	0.0%	6.3%
Under 18	24.3%	22.2%
65 and over	18.5%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Blue Mountain, MS 6 mi Falkner, MS 7 mi Dumas, MS 9 mi Chalybeate, MS 14 mi Ashland, MS 15 mi

ZIP Codes in Ripley

Ripley, MS is covered by 1 ZIP code:

38663

Ripley vs Other Cities

Ripley, MS vs Blue Mountain, MS Ripley, MS vs Falkner, MS Ripley, MS vs Dumas, MS Ripley, MS vs Chalybeate, MS Ripley, MS vs Ashland, MS

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ripley, MS affordable or expensive?

Ripley's cost of living index is 89, where 100 is the national average. That makes Ripley roughly 11% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $140,400 and median rent is $658/month.

What is the crime rate in Ripley, MS?

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

What are the schools like in Ripley?

Public schools in Ripley are operated by South Tippah School District. The district has 1 elementary, 1 middle, and 2 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.3:1. 18.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Ripley, MS a good place to live?

Ripley, MS has a population of 5,440, a median household income of $53,175, and an unemployment rate of 9.6%. 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 Ripley?

Ripley averages 48.8°F in January and 89.6°F in July. Annual rainfall is 57.6 inches with about 1.6 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Ripley?

Ripley, MS is covered by 1 ZIP code: 38663.

What is the population of Ripley?

The population of Ripley, Mississippi is 5,440 with a median age of 39.0. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Ripley?

Key numbers for living in Ripley: cost of living index 89 (100 = US average), median home $140,400, median household income $53,175, schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Ripley side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.