Cost Of Living
Residents in this area benefit from an affordable cost of living. This includes goods and services, transportation, housing, utilities, groceries and healthcare.
Housing
The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Amenities
It appears that many amenities may not be conveniently situated within walking distance, potentially necessitating the use of a vehicle or public transit.
Commute
Commuters in this area may experience longer-than-average work commute times due to limited public transportation access.
Employment
The combination of low income levels and high unemployment rates contributes to a low score in the employment category, which could make it challenging to secure well-paying jobs.
Health & Safety
Factors like poor air quality and the absence of essential health-related facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and pharmacies could have played a role in the low score in this category.
Located in the state of Mississippi, Meridian is a mid-sized city with a population of 37,252 inhabitants. Meridian is very likely to be a great place to live for singles as only 47%, of the population (over fifteen) are classified as married. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Meridian. With an average one way commute time of only 18 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.
Living in Meridian can be a fulfilling experience for anyone relocating to the area. Having said that, in the state of Mississippi, there are many incredible places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. The best areas in Meridian and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from crime, employment, housing, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Mississippi and national averages.
With a livability score of 59/100, Meridian is ranked #18,561 in the United States and #209 in Mississippi. This is not a favorable rating; as this score ranks among some of the lowest in America. Living in Meridian may not be a pleasant experience. If we check out each of the categories on their own, we see that Meridian ranks well for housing (B-). On a less positive note, Meridian does not have favorable ranks for the following: amenities (F), crime (F), education (D) and employment (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.
A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Meridian has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.
Assuming that Meridian meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Meridian. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Meridian are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Meridian come in at $84,300, which is 20.2% lower than the Mississippi average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Meridian, the home price to income ratio is 2.8, which is 7.7% higher than the Mississippi average.
| Statistic | Meridian | Mississippi | National |
| Average one way commute | 18min | 24min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 84.3% | 84.7% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 9.8% | 9.7% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.0% | 0.4% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.1% | 1.5% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 1.7% | 2.2% | 4.6% |
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