Moving from Baltimore, MD to Jackson, MS
It is 1019 mi between Baltimore and Jackson β roughly 18h 52m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 6 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1019 mi Β· 18h 52m by car Β· MD β VA β TN β GA β AL β MS
Distance & route
| Route through | MD β VA β TN β GA β AL β MS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 81, I 59, US 52 |
| Major cities en route | Alexandria, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Birmingham, Tuscaloosa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Baltimore | Jackson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.487 | 89.048 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 110.215 | 78.137 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.353 | 96.219 | 100.0 |
| Services | 118.194 | 64.768 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 14.8% moving from Baltimore 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 $188,101 in Baltimore to $87,256 in Jackson, a 14.8% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Baltimore -1.1%, Jackson -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Baltimore | Jackson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 30Β°F | 38Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 43.7" | 51.3" |
Annual temperature rises 6.9Β°F moving to Jackson per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MD SCI CTR BALTIMORE, MD US, JACKSON HAWKINS FLD, MS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Baltimore | Jackson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 149,827 |
| Median household income | $59,623 | $43,238 |
| Median age | 36.1 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.1% | 16.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.3 | 2.42 |
Jackson households earn about 14.8% less than Baltimore at the median β $59,623 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 Maryland 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
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements 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
Is Jackson more expensive than Baltimore?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Jackson is 14.8% lower than Baltimore (89.048 vs 104.487, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Jackson compare to Baltimore?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,540 in the Jackson MSA vs $54,140 in the Baltimore MSA, on total employment of 252,860 and 1,304,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Baltimore vs Jackson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $43,238 in Jackson vs $59,623 in Baltimore β a 27.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Jackson compared to Baltimore?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $87,256 in Jackson vs $188,101 in Baltimore β a 53.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Baltimore to Jackson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1019 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 Baltimore, MD?
The driving distance is 1019 mi and the route typically takes 18h 52m via I 81 and I 59. The trip crosses 6 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 Baltimore.
City profiles: Baltimore, MD Β· Jackson, MS.