Moving from Bakersfield, CA to Jackson, MS
A 1849 mi cross-country move between Bakersfield and Jackson is 32h 33m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 6 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1849 mi Β· 32h 33m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 20, US 287 |
| Major cities en route | Lancaster, Victorville, Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Amarillo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Bakersfield | Jackson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.886 | 89.048 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.257 | 78.137 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 96.219 | 100.0 |
| Services | 90.291 | 64.768 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 11.7% moving from Bakersfield to Jackson β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $396,047 in Bakersfield to $87,256 in Jackson, a 11.7% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Bakersfield -0.3%, Jackson -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Bakersfield | Jackson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 38Β°F |
| July avg high | 97Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 6.7" | 51.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 65.1Β°F vs 66.0Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BAKERSFIELD 5 NW, CA US, JACKSON HAWKINS FLD, MS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Bakersfield | Jackson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 149,827 |
| Median household income | $77,397 | $43,238 |
| Median age | 31.9 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.1% | 16.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.2 | 2.42 |
Jackson households earn about 11.7% less than Bakersfield at the median β $77,397 β $43,238 on ACS 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 California 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.
Winter driving along this route
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
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
How far is Jackson, MS from Bakersfield, CA?
The driving distance is 1849 mi and the route typically takes 32h 33m via I 40 and I 20. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Jackson compare to Bakersfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,540 in the Jackson MSA vs $44,960 in the Bakersfield MSA, on total employment of 252,860 and 330,270 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Bakersfield to Jackson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1849 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Jackson more expensive than Bakersfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Jackson is 11.7% lower than Bakersfield (89.048 vs 100.886, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Bakersfield vs Jackson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $43,238 in Jackson vs $77,397 in Bakersfield β a 44.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Jackson compared to Bakersfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $87,256 in Jackson vs $396,047 in Bakersfield β a 78.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Bakersfield.
City profiles: Bakersfield, CA Β· Jackson, MS.