Mississippi’s Safest Cities of 2026

See crime rates for the safest cities.

Mississippi residents who took our State of Safety survey were far less likely to have experienced gun violence and other violent crimes in the 12 months leading up to our survey compared to the previous year. However, most Mississippians believe crime is on the rise.

Meanwhile, violent crime and property crime rates are much lower than average in Mississippi's 10 safest cities. 

The violent crime rate in Mississippi is 2.36 incidents per 1,000 people, which is lower than the national average of 4.43. We weren't able to report a statewide violent crime rate last year due to insufficient data, but in our 2024 report, Mississippi reported the lowest violent crime rate in the nation—0.4. In this year's report, Mississippi reported the sixth-lowest violent crime rate.

Property crime in The Magnolia State also increased in recent years, rising from 18.2 incidents per 1,000 people in 2024 to 21.35 incidents in this year's report. That's lower than the national property crime rate of 22.89. 

Mississippians who took our State of Safety survey report a much lower confidence level compared to the previous year. Just 37% say they feel safe in the state, down from 54% the year before. Nearly two-thirds (64%) believe crime is increasing, which is the second highest percentage in the nation behind Pennsylvania. 

According to our State of Safety survey, Mississippians are among those most likely to experience property crime and package theft. They're also more likely to worry about these crimes compared to the average American. 

• 29% said they had personal experience with property crime during the 12 months prior to our survey, up from 21% the year before (US 21%).
• Only residents of Alaska reported more property crime experiences than Mississippians (30% AK).
• Daily concern about property crime decreased from 59% to 51% year over year (US 46%). 
• 38% of Mississippi residents said they had personally experienced package theft in the 12 months prior to our survey, up from 34% the year before (US 31%).
• Daily concern about package theft rose from 42% to 46%(US 44%).
• Mississippians prefer to protect their property with firearms (52%), security cameras (52%), and guard dogs (42%). 
• 26% told us they increased their security measures in the 12 months prior to the survey (US 32%).

The percentage of Mississippians who told us they experienced violent crime in the 12 months prior to our survey fell substantially year over year and, for the first time in years, is lower than the national average. Concern about violent crime rose during the same time period. 

• 8% of Mississippians experienced violent crime in the 12 months prior to our survey, down considerably from 17% the previous year (US 12%).
• The percentage of Mississippi residents who worry about violent crime on a daily basis increased from 62% to 64% year over year (US 55%).
• 43% of survey participants report using some form of personal protection.
• Mississippi residents prefer to protect themselves with firearms (67%), and pocket knives (49%), and pepper spray (35%).

• 7% of Mississippians experienced gun violence in the 12 months prior to our survey, a substantial decrease from 15% the year before (US 9%).
• The percentage of Mississippi residents who worry about gun violence on a daily basis decreased slightly from 58% to 55% year over year (US 55%).
• Mississippians worry about violent crime in general more than they worry about gun violence in particular. 
• Guns are the most popular form of personal protection in Mississippi, with 67% saying they carry a concealed firearm (US 45%).
• Mississippi had 14 mass shootings in 2025, down from 24 in 2024. 

For the purposes of this report, the terms “dangerous” and “safest” refer explicitly to crime rates as calculated from FBI crime data—no other characterization of any community is implied or intended.

• 32 cities met the criteria for ranking this year.
• Madison is Mississippi's safest city of 2026.
• Brandon is #2 for the second year in a row, and Hernando is #3 for the third year in a row.
• Property crime and violent crime rates decreased year over year in Byram and New Albany.
• Most of Mississippi's safest cities are suburbs of larger metros like Memphis and Jackson.
• Richland's violent crime rate decreased by more than 50% year over year.
• Madison, Petal, and Richland reported zero robberies.
• Richland, Long Beach, New Albany, and Clinton reported zero murders.
• Madison, New Albany, and Horn Lake reported zero rapes.

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