Top States for Business 2021

45. Mississippi

No state offers lower costs than the Magnolia State, but innovation and business friendliness are in short supply.

A vector illustration outline of the state of Mississippi filled with a low polygon design in orange and yellow tones.
LPETTET | DigitalVision Vectors | Getty Images

Mississippi Score and Ranking

Category 2021 Score 2021 Rank 2019 Rank 2021 Grade
Cost of Doing Business26876A-
Infrastructure1643838D+
Life, Health & Inclusion14537--D-
Workforce1324142D-
Economy964250D+
Business Friendliness554347D-
Access to Capital703242D+
Technology & Innovation394848F
Education584344D
Cost of Living7511A+
Overall11024548

Economic Profile

Governor: Tate Reeves, Republican

Population: 2,966,786

GDP growth (Q1 2021): 6.9%

Unemployment rate (May 2021): 6.1%

Top corporate tax rate: 5%

Top individual income tax rate: 5%

Gasoline tax: 18.79 cents/gallon

Bond rating (Moody's/S&P): Aa2, stable/AA, stable

Major private employers: Nissan North America, EastGroup Properties

Economic profile sources: U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federation of Tax Administrators, American Petroleum Institute (excluding 18.40 cent/gallon federal tax), Moody's Investor Service, S&P Global Market Intelligence

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