Mississippi’s warm climate and low cost of living draw many retirees—but not every town is aging-friendly. According to new 2025 data from the Overall Retirement Score (ORS), these 21 towns rank lowest in the state for senior livability. Limited walkability, sparse cultural resources, poor transit, and a lack of community life make them tough places to grow older. From forgotten farm towns to struggling suburbs, these are the places retirees are now avoiding.
21. Robinsonville – Empty Space, Missing Services
Robinsonville sits near the banks of the Mississippi River in Tunica County. Known more for casinos than community, this town offers little to retirees seeking connection or convenience. While the wide-open spaces might appeal to some, Robinsonville lacks the basic infrastructure that makes retirement livable—there are no community centers, walkable streets, or senior-friendly programs.
The town’s development has focused heavily on tourism, leaving long-term residents—especially older adults—with minimal services. Most retirees will find themselves driving out of town just for groceries, let alone healthcare or recreation.
Robinsonville – ORS 3.77
- Overall Retirement Score: 3.77
- Quietness: 51.26
- Walkability: 0.92
- Cultural amenities: 0.85
- Vibrancy: 30.99
- Car-Friendliness: 86.25
- Transit-Friendliness: 0.0
Robinsonville has extremely poor walkability and almost no access to culture or transit. Despite moderate car-friendliness, its limited services and low scores across the board make it one of the least accommodating towns for retirees in Mississippi.
20. Whitfield – Services Without Access
Located in Rankin County, Whitfield is home to several state institutions and healthcare facilities—but that doesn’t mean they’re accessible to the public. For retirees, the town can feel more like a service corridor than a community. It lacks a town center, walkable areas, or basic retail stores, and public transit is nonexistent.
Despite a peaceful setting, the car-dependent layout and institutional feel make Whitfield an awkward fit for anyone seeking a vibrant or connected retirement lifestyle. Isolation is a real concern here for seniors without strong personal transportation.
Whitfield – ORS 20.34
- Overall Retirement Score: 20.34
- Quietness: 72.97
- Walkability: 8.76
- Cultural amenities: 0.74
- Vibrancy: 34.8
- Car-Friendliness: 39.53
- Transit-Friendliness: 0.0
Whitfield has decent quietness and some vibrancy, but low walkability and poor car-friendliness undermine its livability. Its institutional character doesn’t translate into community support for older adults.
19. Verona – Few Resources, Fading Appeal
Just south of Tupelo, Verona is a small town with limited infrastructure and an aging population. Once a bustling spot in Mississippi’s railroad era, today it lacks the energy and access many retirees hope for. There are few cultural offerings, no walkable core, and little in the way of community programming for seniors.
It’s a car-focused town with few reasons to go out. Without strong social ties or nearby family, older adults may find Verona too quiet and too sparse to provide a fulfilling retirement experience.
Verona – ORS 20.4
- Overall Retirement Score: 20.4
- Quietness: 50.19
- Walkability: 34.16
- Cultural amenities: 4.69
- Vibrancy: 37.51
- Car-Friendliness: 90.67
- Transit-Friendliness: 0.0
Verona scores well for car-friendliness and moderate walkability, but cultural and community life is nearly absent. Its overall ORS keeps it among the least appealing towns for retirees in the state.
18. Tunica – Tourism-Focused, Not Retiree-Focused
Tunica is a name familiar to many thanks to its casinos and proximity to the Mississippi River. But beyond the resort attractions, the town itself offers very little to residents—especially older ones. There’s little walkability, limited shopping or healthcare options, and almost no senior-centered programming.
Retirees seeking entertainment may be disappointed to find the town lacks balance—designed more for short-term visitors than long-term comfort. Life here can feel disconnected, even if it looks busy on the surface.
Tunica – ORS 21.39
- Overall Retirement Score: 21.39
- Quietness: 74.89
- Walkability: 9.76
- Cultural amenities: 3.14
- Vibrancy: 13.3
- Car-Friendliness: 65.04
- Transit-Friendliness: 0.0
Tunica scores moderately on quietness, but poor walkability and low cultural access hold it back. For retirees, it’s not so much a home as a place to pass through.
17. Walnut – Limited Services in a Sleepy Setting
Walnut is a quiet community in Tippah County near the Tennessee border. While peaceful, the town has very little infrastructure for aging residents. There’s minimal healthcare access, few shops, and no walkable districts or cultural venues.
It’s the kind of place that may suit those who already have strong roots or nearby family—but for new retirees looking to stay active or connected, Walnut offers little beyond solitude and stillness.
Walnut – ORS 25.77
- Overall Retirement Score: 25.77
- Quietness: 69.45
- Walkability: 20.24
- Cultural amenities: 15.12
- Vibrancy: 15.27
- Car-Friendliness: 78.58
- Transit-Friendliness: 0.0
With middling scores across the board, Walnut doesn’t actively work against retirees—but it doesn’t support them much either. Seniors here may find life functional but not particularly fulfilling.
16. Beaumont – New Augusta – Quiet but Cut Off
Beaumont and New Augusta are neighboring small towns in Perry County that offer calm and quiet—but not much else. While the area is known for its natural beauty and rural charm, it’s also isolated from most essential services. There’s no major hospital nearby, limited commercial development, and almost no options for public engagement or senior programs.
For retirees who prefer peace and don’t mind traveling long distances for everything from groceries to doctors’ visits, it might work. But for most, the lack of convenience and connection makes it a poor retirement choice.
Beaumont – New Augusta – ORS 27.57
- Overall Retirement Score: 27.57
- Quietness: 88.12
- Walkability: 4.72
- Cultural amenities: 7.6
- Vibrancy: 5.23
- Car-Friendliness: 97.13
- Transit-Friendliness: 0.0
The area scores very high in quietness and car-friendliness but low across the board on vibrancy, walkability, and amenities. Beaumont–New Augusta may appeal to rural-minded retirees, but most would struggle with the lack of daily essentials.
15. Conehatta – Peaceful but Underserved
Conehatta is a small, rural town in Newton County that offers plenty of peace—but very little support for retirees. With a population under 1,000, there are no cultural outlets, no walkable areas, and few local services. Healthcare, groceries, and recreation all require a drive, often to towns many miles away.
The town’s calm atmosphere might appeal to lifelong residents, but for older adults relocating or downsizing, Conehatta lacks the infrastructure that makes aging in place safe and comfortable.
Conehatta – ORS 29.92
- Overall Retirement Score: 29.92
- Quietness: 70.82
- Walkability: 5.4
- Cultural amenities: 7.4
- Vibrancy: 10.11
- Car-Friendliness: 96.8
- Transit-Friendliness: 2.01
Conehatta’s car-friendliness is strong, but everything else falls flat for retirees. It’s quiet—but the kind of quiet that feels isolating if you’re not already deeply rooted there.
14. Glen – Not Enough to Stay Busy
Glen is a small town in Alcorn County in the northeastern corner of Mississippi. It offers a peaceful setting and friendly neighbors—but little else. There are few places to shop, no real cultural outlets, and minimal walkable infrastructure. Seniors living here often rely entirely on family or personal vehicles for everything.
There’s a small-town charm to Glen, but it doesn’t translate into activity or access for retirees looking to remain engaged, independent, or active in their later years.
Glen – ORS 32.06
- Overall Retirement Score: 32.06
- Quietness: 87.27
- Walkability: 6.37
- Cultural amenities: 19.99
- Vibrancy: 7.52
- Car-Friendliness: 90.73
- Transit-Friendliness: 0.0
Glen’s quiet and driveable, but walkability and vibrancy are lacking. There’s no central core, and for retirees who want more than just stillness, Glen may be too quiet for comfort.
13. Horn Lake – Suburban Stress, Not Senior Ease
Located in DeSoto County just south of Memphis, Horn Lake is part of the growing suburban sprawl in northern Mississippi. But while it may be close to amenities, the town itself struggles to deliver comfort and convenience for older adults. Noise, traffic, and a lack of cohesive planning make retirement here more hectic than restful.
There’s some vibrancy and access to culture, but much of it requires navigating busy roads or driving long distances. Without strong family ties nearby, Horn Lake isn’t an ideal place to settle down in your later years.
Horn Lake – ORS 33.42
- Overall Retirement Score: 33.42
- Quietness: 40.03
- Walkability: 45.36
- Cultural amenities: 22.06
- Vibrancy: 57.14
- Car-Friendliness: 89.17
- Transit-Friendliness: 0.0
Horn Lake scores high on vibrancy but low on quietness. For retirees looking for calm and convenience, this fast-growing suburb may feel more draining than dynamic.
12. Lake – A Town Where Time Stands Still
Lake, in Scott County, is a quiet, lightly populated area where not much changes year to year. While that might appeal to some retirees, the lack of walkable spaces, cultural events, or healthcare access makes everyday life more challenging. There are few resources and almost no local amenities to support an active retirement lifestyle.
It’s the kind of place where life happens behind closed doors, and social or civic engagement is minimal. That might suit a select few—but for most seniors, Lake doesn’t offer the access or activity that aging well requires.
Lake – ORS 35.84
- Overall Retirement Score: 35.84
- Quietness: 66.87
- Walkability: 2.33
- Cultural amenities: 9.43
- Vibrancy: 11.49
- Car-Friendliness: 76.63
- Transit-Friendliness: 0.0
Low walkability and limited culture place Lake firmly in the lower half of Mississippi’s retirement scores. It’s calm, but under-supported—especially for those aging without strong networks nearby.
11. Jackson – Urban Challenges for Aging Adults
As Mississippi’s capital and largest city, Jackson offers more amenities than many smaller towns—but also more challenges. Crime concerns, noise, traffic, and aging infrastructure make day-to-day life stressful for many seniors. While it has healthcare facilities and some walkable areas, the city’s fragmentation and inconsistent public services pose barriers for retirees hoping to live comfortably and independently.
Some neighborhoods have promise, but the overall experience for older adults is one of navigating around obstacles, not enjoying ease. Those without strong local support or reliable transportation may find Jackson overwhelming.
Jackson – ORS 36.73
- Overall Retirement Score: 36.73
- Quietness: 38.83
- Walkability: 44.11
- Cultural amenities: 19.51
- Vibrancy: 55.15
- Car-Friendliness: 76.66
- Transit-Friendliness: 15.07
Jackson scores well on vibrancy and amenities, but low quietness and uneven infrastructure drag down its retirement appeal. It’s one of the few places with transit access, but that comes with big-city drawbacks.
10. Pickens – Goodman – Remote and Under-Resourced
Pickens and Goodman are small, rural towns in central Mississippi with limited infrastructure and minimal economic activity. Despite their old southern charm, they offer very little in terms of senior support. No major medical facilities, sparse public programming, and a total absence of walkable town centers make daily life difficult for retirees.
These towns may appeal to those who already live there, but they’re far from ideal destinations for anyone looking to relocate for retirement. Seniors need strong transportation, social support, or both to make life here manageable.
Pickens – Goodman – ORS 37.67
- Overall Retirement Score: 37.67
- Quietness: 75.71
- Walkability: 6.34
- Cultural amenities: 2.24
- Vibrancy: 6.58
- Car-Friendliness: 92.68
- Transit-Friendliness: 0.0
With high car-friendliness but nearly nonexistent culture, Pickens–Goodman is only feasible for retirees who are fully self-sufficient. Even then, it’s a stretch.
9. Osyka – Quiet, but Too Quiet
Osyka is a very small town in Pike County near the Louisiana border. Known for its tranquil atmosphere and deep southern roots, it offers a slow pace—but not much else. For older adults hoping to stay socially active or involved in the community, options are slim. There are no cultural venues, few social outlets, and healthcare access requires driving to nearby towns.
Osyka might suit retirees who value quiet above all else, but anyone seeking connection, services, or walkability will likely struggle here.
Osyka – ORS 37.67
- Overall Retirement Score: 37.67
- Quietness: 88.26
- Walkability: 6.36
- Cultural amenities: 2.35
- Vibrancy: 9.39
- Car-Friendliness: 94.71
- Transit-Friendliness: 0.0
Osyka is extremely quiet and easy to drive, but it lacks almost every other key element of a retirement-friendly town. It’s peaceful—but isolating.
8. Pearl River – Cultural Desert, Aging Isolation
Located in Neshoba County, Pearl River is known for its ties to the Choctaw community and rural roots. But for retirees, the town offers little in terms of culture, social connection, or transit. It has almost no walkability and few gathering places. Medical services and entertainment are both located outside of town, often requiring lengthy travel.
It’s a calm place, but the lack of engagement can make aging here feel static. Pearl River works for those who want to be left alone, but not for those who want to stay involved or supported.
Pearl River – ORS 37.38
- Overall Retirement Score: 37.38
- Quietness: 65.83
- Walkability: 5.78
- Cultural amenities: 3.27
- Vibrancy: 7.88
- Car-Friendliness: 91.72
- Transit-Friendliness: 0.0
Pearl River offers strong car access and peace, but little else. Its low walkability and minimal community life leave most retirees under-served and disconnected.
7. Kilmichael – Scenic, But Sluggish for Seniors
Kilmichael sits in Montgomery County and offers the kind of peace and quiet many expect from small-town Mississippi. But its remote location and lack of services make it a challenging place for retirees. There are no senior centers, walkable areas, or local healthcare facilities. Social outlets are sparse, and day-to-day errands almost always require a drive.
For older adults who prize simplicity and have support nearby, it may work. But anyone aging without help will likely find it difficult to stay here long-term.
Kilmichael – ORS 36.88
- Overall Retirement Score: 36.88
- Quietness: 92.27
- Walkability: 12.53
- Cultural amenities: 3.46
- Vibrancy: 11.37
- Car-Friendliness: 83.82
- Transit-Friendliness: 0.0
Kilmichael delivers peace but not much more. For independent retirees, the lack of amenities, activity, and access makes long-term living here a serious challenge.
6. Bassfield – Calm Living, Lacking Essentials
Bassfield, in Jefferson Davis County, is a tiny town that offers plenty of calm—but not much else. There’s almost no commercial development, no walkable public spaces, and few cultural or social outlets. It’s the kind of place where you know your neighbors but drive miles for everything else.
While some retirees might value its deep quiet and rural simplicity, others will struggle with the lack of amenities. For those without family nearby or a solid transportation plan, Bassfield can feel like a trap more than a haven.
Bassfield – ORS 36.86
- Overall Retirement Score: 36.86
- Quietness: 89.71
- Walkability: 5.44
- Cultural amenities: 3.41
- Vibrancy: 6.93
- Car-Friendliness: 94.72
- Transit-Friendliness: 0.0
Bassfield ranks high for quietness and car-friendliness but offers almost no support systems for retirees. Isolation is the tradeoff for peace here.
5. Sandersville – Rural Living Without the Benefits
Sandersville in Jones County is a small town with a surprisingly solid sense of identity, but one that doesn’t translate well for retirees. It lacks the medical access, walkable areas, and cultural variety that make aging in place sustainable. The layout is car-dependent, and senior services are all but absent.
Though the area is calm and moderately vibrant, most older adults will find that Sandersville simply doesn’t provide the day-to-day infrastructure needed for aging comfortably and independently.
Sandersville – ORS 39.10
- Overall Retirement Score: 39.10
- Quietness: 88.74
- Walkability: 8.67
- Cultural amenities: 14.71
- Vibrancy: 21.16
- Car-Friendliness: 86.89
- Transit-Friendliness: 0.0
Sandersville’s peace and modest vibrancy are welcome—but they don’t make up for the severe lack of walkability, transit, or local support for seniors.
4. Pinola – Very Quiet, Very Isolated
Pinola, in Simpson County, is an unincorporated community that offers a rural, peaceful setting with little infrastructure. While it might appeal to those seeking a retreat, there’s almost nothing in the way of stores, services, or public spaces. Retirees must rely heavily on family or travel to nearby towns for basic needs.
There’s no central hub or sense of connectedness, which makes aging here especially hard for those without a support network. Even the basics—like mail, groceries, or medical care—require effort and planning.
Pinola – ORS 39.39
- Overall Retirement Score: 39.39
- Quietness: 76.61
- Walkability: 2.31
- Cultural amenities: 5.15
- Vibrancy: 12.43
- Car-Friendliness: 80.98
- Transit-Friendliness: 1.65
Pinola offers peace, but its lack of walkability and senior-friendly resources make it a poor fit for retirement unless you already live there—and even then, it’s a stretch.
3. Sebastopol – Quiet and Lacking in Culture
Sebastopol sits on the border of Scott and Leake Counties and is best known for its farming roots and small-town traditions. But for retirees, the town doesn’t offer much more than peace and space. There’s no town center, no senior services, and very little cultural life to speak of.
It’s not an unpleasant place to live—but it is an inconvenient one. Everything from groceries to medical care to social activities happens elsewhere, requiring regular travel and a high degree of independence.
Sebastopol – ORS 39.77
- Overall Retirement Score: 39.77
- Quietness: 67.34
- Walkability: 11.31
- Cultural amenities: 2.28
- Vibrancy: 12.41
- Car-Friendliness: 93.85
- Transit-Friendliness: 0.0
Sebastopol is a good place to be left alone—but not a great place to grow older unless you’re self-sufficient and well-supported.
2. Southaven – Sprawling and Stressful
Southaven, in DeSoto County, is one of Mississippi’s largest suburbs and part of the Memphis metro area. It offers big-box shopping, fast food, and easy highway access—but that doesn’t make it ideal for retirement. Noise, traffic, and long drives dominate the daily experience. It’s a town built for commuting and commerce, not for slowing down and aging well.
While there are cultural offerings nearby, Southaven itself feels like a giant parking lot. For retirees seeking walkability, peace, or community engagement, this is not the place to be.
Southaven – ORS 39.92
- Overall Retirement Score: 39.92
- Quietness: 47.14
- Walkability: 27.18
- Cultural amenities: 33.12
- Vibrancy: 62.54
- Car-Friendliness: 84.59
- Transit-Friendliness: 0.0
Southaven offers vibrancy and culture, but the stress of urban sprawl offsets any benefits. It’s a busy place—not a restful one.
1. Shubuta – Mississippi’s Least Retirement-Friendly Town
Shubuta, in Clarke County, ranks as the worst town in Mississippi for retirees in 2025. It’s extremely quiet—but at a cost. There’s nothing within walking distance, no public transit, no cultural infrastructure, and minimal economic activity. Residents rely almost entirely on cars or outside help just to meet basic needs.
The town’s small size and limited development may suit a few long-time locals, but for most older adults—especially those aging alone—Shubuta presents more obstacles than opportunities. It’s peaceful, yes. But it’s also profoundly lacking in support.
Shubuta – ORS 40.64
- Overall Retirement Score: 40.64
- Quietness: 87.76
- Walkability: 4.10
- Cultural amenities: 3.61
- Vibrancy: 9.81
- Car-Friendliness: 78.17
- Transit-Friendliness: 0.0
Shubuta ranks last for good reason. It may offer solitude, but it fails to provide the infrastructure retirees need to thrive or even function day to day.
