Moving from Berkeley, CA to Jackson, MS
Cross-country relocations like Berkeley, CA β Jackson, MS cover 2122 mi and about 37h 34m of driving through 6 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2122 mi Β· 37h 34m by car Β· MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 287, US 80 |
| Major cities en route | Shreveport, Tyler, Dallas, Mesquite, Garland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Berkeley | Jackson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 89.048 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 78.137 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 96.219 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 64.768 | 100.0 |
Overall price level runs 23.0% below Berkeley β a substantial cost-of-living drop on the BEA Regional Price Parity (115.613 β 89.048, 2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Jackson is 23.0% below Berkeley β $1,443,684 vs $87,256 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Berkeley -1.2%, Jackson -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Berkeley | Jackson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 38Β°F |
| July avg high | 74Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 26.1" | 51.3" |
Climate warms by 7.5Β°F on the annual average β 58.5Β°F β 66.0Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BERKELEY, CA US, JACKSON HAWKINS FLD, MS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Berkeley | Jackson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 149,827 |
| Median household income | $108,558 | $43,238 |
| Median age | 32.9 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.4% | 16.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.57 | 2.42 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 23.0% between Berkeley and Jackson (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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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 Berkeley, CA?
The driving distance is 2122 mi and the route typically takes 37h 34m via I 40 and US 287. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Jackson compare to Berkeley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,540 in the Jackson MSA vs $72,050 in the Berkeley MSA, on total employment of 252,860 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Berkeley to Jackson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2122 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Jackson compared to Berkeley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $87,256 in Jackson vs $1,443,684 in Berkeley β a 94.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Berkeley vs Jackson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $43,238 in Jackson vs $108,558 in Berkeley β a 60.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Jackson more expensive than Berkeley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Jackson is 23.0% lower than Berkeley (89.048 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Berkeley.
City profiles: Berkeley, CA Β· Jackson, MS.