Moving from Columbia, MO to Jackson, MS
It is 603 mi between Columbia and Jackson β roughly 11h 9m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 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.
603 mi Β· 11h 9m by car Β· MS β TN β AR β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | MS β TN β AR β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 55, US 78, US 40 |
| Major cities en route | Memphis, St Louis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Columbia | Jackson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.438 | 89.048 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 85.966 | 78.137 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.193 | 96.219 | 100.0 |
| Services | 69.248 | 64.768 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 89.438 vs 89.048 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 0.4% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $321,091 to $87,256 moving to Jackson.
YoY change: Columbia +2.6%, Jackson -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Columbia | Jackson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 23Β°F | 38Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 17.4" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 44.8" | 51.3" |
Annual temperature rises 9.8Β°F moving to Jackson per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: COLUMBIA U OF M, MO US, JACKSON HAWKINS FLD, MS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Columbia | Jackson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 149,827 |
| Median household income | $64,488 | $43,238 |
| Median age | 29.2 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.1% | 16.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.48 | 2.42 |
Jackson households earn about 0.4% less than Columbia at the median β $64,488 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 Missouri 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-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
How far is Jackson, MS from Columbia, MO?
The driving distance is 603 mi and the route typically takes 11h 9m via I 55 and US 78. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Jackson more expensive than Columbia?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Jackson is 0.4% lower than Columbia (89.048 vs 89.438, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Jackson compared to Columbia?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $87,256 in Jackson vs $321,091 in Columbia β a 72.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Jackson compare to Columbia?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,540 in the Jackson MSA vs $44,410 in the Columbia MSA, on total employment of 252,860 and 97,940 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Columbia vs Jackson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $43,238 in Jackson vs $64,488 in Columbia β a 33.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Columbia to Jackson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 603 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Columbia.
City profiles: Columbia, MO Β· Jackson, MS.