Olive Branch, MS Homes For Rent

Homes for Rent in Olive Branch, MS: What You Need to Know

Olive Branch is a city in DeSoto County in northern Mississippi, bordering Tennessee and Arkansas. It’s considered a suburb of Memphis.

Job Opportunities

Olive Branch and DeSoto County benefit from their proximity to Memphis (26 miles away). The county boasts of a diverse economy that includes 185 manufacturers and distributors. DeSoto County’s top employers include Baptist Memorial Hospital, Williams-Sonoma, DeSoto County Schools, FedEx Ground (package sorting hub), McKesson (pharmaceutical distribution), and Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp. (manufacturing).

Local History

The area where old Chickasaw trails crossed was called Watson's Crossroads back in 1842. With the establishment of the first post office in 1846, Mrs. Frances Wilson Blocker, a descendant of one of the community’s founders, suggested the name Olive Branch from the biblical story of a dove bringing back a branch to Noah. In 1874, Olive Branch was incorporated as a town, and in 1888, it acquired a village status. Befitting its name, Olive Branch was spared much of the destruction and violence during the American Civil War.

Tourist Attractions

Arts in the Alley is a free outdoor gallery located next to the Chamber of Commerce in Old Towne Main Street. The gallery rotates the display of paintings by various local artists throughout the year. Avid cyclists love Olive Branch’s Center Hill Road Bicycle Route, consisting of an eight-mile loop on rolling hills. The terrain can be challenging about midway through the route, so it’s recommended for intermediate-level riders. Bonsai enthusiasts and gardeners from far and wide visit the city for an event held every Memorial Day weekend at Brussel's Bonsai nursery. It’s the country’s largest importer and grower of bonsai, with trees ranging in price from $20 to $20,000. 

Cost of Living

Looking for a city where you can live well for less? Olive Branch (population: 38,924) might be right for you. The city’s cost of living rate, food, and housing costs are 16.5%, 26.2%, and 34.1% lower than the national average respectively. Its median gross rent is $1,129. The Magnolia State levies 0% to 5% in income tax depending on one’s earnings, and 7% to 8% in sales tax.

Know Your Neighborhoods

Residents praise Olive Branch for its safety, small-town charm, friendly environment, and superb schools. Other Memphis suburbs with good schools include Southaven and Hernando on the Mississippi side. Germantown, Tennessee, is within commuting distance of both Olive Branch and Memphis. It attracts many retirees.