Mississippi is one of the best states for living off the grid, this state simply has everything that you need for living off the grid. The local climate is excellent for growing crops almost all year round, and the winters are so mild that for the most part, you do not even have to worry about heating during the wintertime. With that being said there are definitely some places in Mississippi that are better for living off the grid than others.
The best places to live off the grid in Mississippi are the ones that are far away from the coast, as the humidity is extremely high on the coast and this will make living off the grid fairly difficult. Counties like DeSoto County, Marshall County, Benton County, Monroe County, Tishomingo County, Issaquena County, Hinds County, and Harrison County are excellent for off grid living due to their unique geographical position.
One of the problems with living off the grid in Mississippi is the black mold which grows in a lot of houses due to the high humidity, my personal recommendation is to use a mold remover which also comes with a mildew prevention kit Click here to check it out on Amazon.com
The good news is that no matter in which county you choose to live off the grid you will have more or less the same cost of living as in the rest of the state. A lot of people do not even consider Mississippi as being good for off grid living due to the fairly high crime and poverty rate. The truth is that these will hardly affect you if you are living off the grid, so if you want the best bang for your money then Mississippi is an ideal place.
The climate of Mississippi is hot and humid, trust me, you will know the meaning of humid climate after a couple of hot summer days in this state. The high humidity can actually cause a lot of problems, anything from black mold growing inside the houses, wooden structures rotting, and even health-related issues. If you want to know more about off grid living in this state then check out my recent article Off grid living in Mississippi ( Top 12 Pros and Cons ).
Best Places To Live Off The Grid In Mississippi
In my experience, Mississippi offers several excellent places to live off the grid. The rural areas of the state provide vast open spaces and a serene environment for those seeking a self-sufficient lifestyle. Counties like Lafayette, Marion, and Franklin offer ample opportunities for off-grid living, with their abundant natural resources and favorable zoning regulations.
The Mississippi Delta region, known for its fertile soil, can be an ideal location for sustainable agriculture and homesteading. Additionally, the state’s coastal regions, such as Jackson County or Hancock County, provide access to both the natural beauty of the Gulf of Mexico and a vibrant off-grid living community.
DeSoto County
DeSoto County is one of the best places where you can live off the grid in Mississippi, although it does have a fairly large population density. There are around 163k people living in an area of 478 sq mi, which means that if you want to buy a plot of land in this county then you will have to pay a little bit extra for it. The reason why DeSoto County is one of the best when it comes to off grid living is due to its geographical position, the climate is still hot and humid but not as much as in the south. If you want to know how you can get free firewood no matter where you live then check out my recent article Free Firewood ( Top 14 Places ).
Marshall County
Marshall County has a medium population density when you compare it to other counties. There are around 38k people living in an area of 706 sq mi, which means that the price of land will be significantly lower. The local climate is excellent for growing crops, and for living off the grid, in addition to this, you will definitely not have any problems generating power with solar panels.
Benton County
Benton County has a lot going for it when it comes to off grid living, the population density is fairly low at around 9k people, and local property prices are one of the lowest in the entire state. As Benton County is located in the northern part of Mississippi, the climate is still excellent for growing crops and harvesting rainwater which will make living off the grid a lot easier. A lot of people in Mississippi who live off the grid tend to do it without generating power, for more information on how they do it check out my recent article How to live without electricity? ( In 8 Steps ).
Monroe County
Monroe County is located in the northeastern part of the state, and this is one of the larger counties in the state. The population density is relatively low, as there are around 37k people living in an area of 764 sq mi. Monroe County is excellent for off grid living, the climate is ideal for growing crops, and the property prices are relatively cheap. Although the local education system is not the best, but that is true for the entire state of Mississippi.
Tishomingo County
Tishomingo County is located in the most northeastern part of the state, currently, there are around 20k people living in an area of 424 sq mi. Tishomingo County has everything you would need for off grid living, plenty of natural resources, rivers, and lakes. As the population density is fairly low, you will have no problem buying a plot of land for off grid living for extremely cheap.
Issaquena County
Issaquena County is located in the western part of the state, and if you want to live off the grid on a tight budget then this is the place for you. The main reason why Issaquena County is one of the best places to live off the grid is that it has the lowest population density from the entire state. Currently, there are around 1,500 people living in an area of 413 sq mi, which makes the price of property extremely low.
Hinds County
Hinds County is located in the western part of the state, the population density is the highest in the entire state as there are around 245k people living in an area of 869 sq mi. With that being said Hinds County is still an excellent place for off grid living, it has plenty of natural resources, and most of the population is concentrated in the larger cities. You will have no problem finding suitable land for off grid living although it will be a little bit more expensive than in the rest of the state.
Harrison County
Harrison County is located on the coast, which tends to be somewhat problematic for off grid living. Although with some hard work you can definitely live off the grid in this county. Harrison County has everything you need for off grid living, and if you love fishing then this is the place for you. The population density is fairly high as there are around 188k people living in an area of 581 sq mi, which simply means that the price for an off grid property will be somewhat higher than in the rest of the state.
Key Takeaways
- Mississippi’s mild climate, characterized by long, hot summers and relatively mild winters, provides favorable conditions for off-grid living. The warm weather allows for extended growing seasons and the possibility of utilizing solar power for energy generation. However, it’s important to consider and plan for the occasional hurricanes and heavy rainfall that the region experiences.
- Mississippi is rich in natural resources, including fertile soil and access to water sources like rivers and lakes. These resources can support off-grid living by providing opportunities for sustainable agriculture, water collection, and renewable energy generation through hydroelectric or small-scale wind power.
- Mississippi offers affordable land prices and a low population density, making it an attractive option for those seeking a remote and self-sufficient lifestyle. The lower cost of living allows individuals to acquire larger parcels of land for off-grid living, while the low population density provides a sense of privacy and space.
