Moving from Arlington, TX to Jackson, MS
Relocating between Arlington, TX and Jackson, MS is a 421 mi drive β 7h 40m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
421 mi Β· 7h 40m by car Β· TX β LA β MS
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, US 61 |
| Major cities en route | Fort Worth, Lewisville, Irving, Grand Prairie, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Arlington | Jackson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 89.048 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 78.137 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 96.219 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 64.768 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 13.6% cheaper overall in Jackson than Arlington on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
13.6% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Arlington -3.0%, Jackson -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Arlington | Jackson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 38Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 36.2" | 51.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US, JACKSON HAWKINS FLD, MS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Arlington | Jackson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 149,827 |
| Median household income | $73,519 | $43,238 |
| Median age | 33.6 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.8% | 16.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.81 | 2.42 |
Expect median household income to fall 13.6% β $73,519 β $43,238 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Jackson MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 31,490 | $36,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 26,230 | $36,470 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 23,080 | $29,690 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 22,970 | $66,380 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 22,370 | $22,500 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Mississippi
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Mississippi's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Jackson average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Jackson averages 51.3 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November on the Gulf Coast.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Mississippi after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Jackson more expensive than Arlington?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Jackson is 13.6% lower than Arlington (89.048 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Arlington vs Jackson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $43,238 in Jackson vs $73,519 in Arlington β a 41.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Jackson compared to Arlington?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $87,256 in Jackson vs $310,971 in Arlington β a 71.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Jackson compare to Arlington?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,540 in the Jackson MSA vs $48,440 in the Arlington MSA, on total employment of 252,860 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Arlington to Jackson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 421 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Jackson, MS from Arlington, TX?
The driving distance is 421 mi and the route typically takes 7h 40m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Arlington.
City profiles: Arlington, TX Β· Jackson, MS.