Bay St. Louis 71 Excellent
Bay St. Louis Livability #36 ranked city in Mississippi#7,119 ranked city in the USARanks better than 75% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Bay St. Louis

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.

  • Housing Housing

    This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Local residents have positive things to say about the proximity of restaurants, grocery stores, parks, public transit, friendliness of neighbors, sense of community and overall safety of the area.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Commute Commute

    Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.

  • Employment Employment

    A low score in the employment category could indicate that this area struggles with high unemployment rates and low household income and income per capita levels.

What's it like Living in Bay St. Louis?

Located in the state of Mississippi, Bay St. Louis is a mid-sized city with a population of 13,930 people. The majority of Bay St. Louis residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Black and Asian. In Bay St. Louis, there seems to be a shift in population towards an older age group. The average age of the population is now 50, which is significantly higher than the nation’s average. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Bay St. Louis is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 21 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very daunting task. However, it could also be a fulfilling experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. Finding the best places to live in Bay St. Louis and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes crime, education, employment, housing and other important metrics.

Using data and statistics Bay St. Louis has received a livability score of 70/100. This score is ranked in the 75th percentile when compared to all other cities. For each of the livability categories, we can establish that Bay St. Louis ranks very well for cost of living (A+) and housing (A+). Regrettably for Bay St. Louis, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: amenities (F) and employment (D-).

Ensuring a sense of security is paramount for the majority of residents in any area. Low crime rates exert a positive influence on various aspects, including home prices, rates of home appreciation and the cultivation of positive community dynamics and social cohesion. In the case of Bay St. Louis, it boasts a notably low violent crime rate of 119 crimes per 100,000 residents, which significantly outperforms the national average.

Finding affordable real estate and housing in Bay St. Louis can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Bay St. Louis. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Bay St. Louis are affordable. Median real estate prices in Bay St. Louis come in at $361,147, which is 92.5% higher than the Mississippi average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Bay St. Louis, the home price to income ratio is 5.5, which is 77.4% higher than the Mississippi average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Bay St. Louis

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Compare Bay St. Louis, MS Livability

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      Bay St. Louis transportation information

      Statistic Bay St. Louis Mississippi National
      Average one way commute21min24min26min
      Workers who drive to work80.2%84.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool6.8%9.7%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%0.4%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.5%1.5%2.8%
      Working from home10.2%2.2%4.6%
      Source: The Bay St. Louis, MS data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.