Is Pascagoula Safe, Pros and cons of living in Pascagoula

Is it Safe to Live in Pascagoula?

Pascagoula’s overall crime rate is considered slightly lower than the national average, with a “B” grade for safety, indicating it’s safer than 67% of U.S. cities (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). Violent crime rates are reported at 121.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 13.9% above the national average (as reported by Crime Explorer). Property crime rates are higher, averaging 362.9 per 100,000 residents, which is 121.8% above the national average (as reported by Crime Explorer).

Residents generally perceive the southeast part of Pascagoula as the safest, with a significantly lower chance of being a victim of crime there compared to other neighborhoods (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). The city’s violent crime rate is 2.013 per 1,000 residents, which is lower than the average U.S. city (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). However, it’s important to note that crime statistics can vary by neighborhood, with some areas experiencing higher rates than others (as reported by CrimeGrade.org).

Cost of Living

The overall cost of living in Pascagoula is approximately 8% lower than the U.S. national average and 35% lower than Mississippi’s state average (as reported by Salary.com). This makes Pascagoula a relatively affordable place to live. Housing costs are a significant factor in this lower cost of living, being 6.8% lower than the national average (as reported by Salary.com).

Monthly expenses for a single person in Pascagoula are estimated at $2,267, while a family of four can expect to pay around $4,991 per month (as reported by Salary.com). These figures reflect a slight increase from the previous year, driven by rising costs in housing, transportation, and food (as reported by Salary.com).

Housing Costs

The median home value in Pascagoula is approximately $142,146 (as reported by Livability.com). However, more recent data indicates a median listing price of $152,500 (as reported by Zillow). The median sale price for a home in Pascagoula was $160,000 in March 2026 (as reported by Redfin).

The median rent for an apartment in Pascagoula is around $830 per month for a one-bedroom unit, with prices ranging from $703 for a studio to $1,192 or more for a three-bedroom rental (as reported by Apartments.com). Other sources place the average rent at $1,173 per month for all property types (as reported by Zillow).

Income and Employment

The median household income in Pascagoula is approximately $52,222 (as reported by Data USA). However, other sources cite a median income of $45,681 (as reported by Livability.com) and $43,428 for the metro area (as reported by Forbes). The average salary in Pascagoula is around $58,939 per year (as reported by ReadySetHire).

The unemployment rate in Pascagoula is currently around 7.6% (as reported by Point2Homes), though other sources indicate it as 4.6% (as reported by Niche) or 4.7% as of February 2026 (as reported by Data Commons). The employment rate is 92.4% (as reported by Point2Homes).

Job Market and Major Employers

Pascagoula is a significant industrial hub, particularly known for its shipbuilding and maritime industries. The city is home to Ingalls Shipbuilding, the largest private single-site employer in Mississippi and a major builder of U.S. Navy ships (as reported by AGJ Systems & Networks and Forbes). Other key industries include oil refining, with Chevron operating one of the world’s largest refineries in the area (as reported by AGJ Systems & Networks).

Additional major employers include Bollinger Shipyards, Rolls Royce, and various defense contractors and suppliers (as reported by About Pascagoula). The employment sectors with the most residents working in them are Manufacturing, Health Care & Social Assistance, and Retail Trade (as reported by Data USA).

Climate

Pascagoula experiences a humid subtropical climate (as reported by Wikipedia). Summers are long, hot, and oppressive, with temperatures typically ranging from 72°F to 90°F in July and August (as reported by myPerfectWeather and Climate-Data.org). The average high temperature in the summer is around 90°F, with the hottest recorded temperature being 106°F (as reported by Wikipedia).

Winters are short, cool, and can be windy, with temperatures generally ranging from 40°F to 62°F in January (as reported by myPerfectWeather and Climate-Data.org). The coldest recorded temperature was 16°F in January 2014 (as reported by Wikipedia). Annual precipitation averages around 68 inches, with August being the wettest month (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Education

Pascagoula is served by the Pascagoula-Gautier School District, which operates 11 schools and serves approximately 6,501 students (as reported by Niche). The district has an overall Niche grade of A. State test scores indicate that 57% of students are proficient in math and 52% in reading within the district (as reported by Niche).

Among the district’s schools, Beach Elementary School and Lake Elementary School are noted as high performers, with Beach Elementary receiving a 5-star rating and Lake Elementary a 4-star rating (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). Pascagoula High School is also recognized, holding an A-minus Niche grade and ranking well among Mississippi high schools for college preparation and diversity (as reported by Niche). However, the district faces socioeconomic challenges, including high rates of free and reduced-price lunch and chronic absenteeism (as reported by SchoolDigger.com).

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, Pascagoula had a population of 22,010 (as reported by Wikipedia). The population has seen a slight decline since previous censuses. The median age in Pascagoula is approximately 36.7 years (as reported by Wikipedia).

The racial makeup of Pascagoula is diverse, with White residents comprising about 48.8% and Black or African American residents making up around 34.2% of the population (as reported by Data USA and Zippia). Other racial groups include those identifying as Hispanic (around 5.3% to 13%), Asian, Native American, and those of two or more races (as reported by Data USA, Zippia, and Wikipedia). Citizenship is high, with over 96% of residents being U.S. citizens (as reported by Data USA).

Pros and Cons of Living in Pascagoula

Pascagoula offers a lower cost of living compared to national averages, particularly in housing, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious individuals and families (as reported by Salary.com and Livability.com). The city’s industrial base provides significant employment opportunities, especially in shipbuilding and related sectors (as reported by AGJ Systems & Networks and About Pascagoula). Its location on the Gulf Coast also offers recreational opportunities and a distinct coastal lifestyle.

However, Pascagoula faces challenges with higher-than-average property crime rates (as reported by Crime Explorer). While the overall crime rate is comparable to the national average, certain neighborhoods experience more crime than others (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). The educational system, while having some high-performing schools, also contends with socioeconomic challenges across the district (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). The climate, characterized by hot and humid summers, may also be a consideration for some newcomers (as reported by myPerfectWeather).