Moving from Jackson, MS to Austin, TX
It is 539 mi between Jackson and Austin β roughly 10h 2m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 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.
539 mi Β· 10h 2m by car Β· TX β LA β MS
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, TX 31, I 35 |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Tyler, Shreveport |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Jackson | Austin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.048 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 78.137 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.219 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 64.768 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 10.1% above Jackson β 89.048 β 98.066 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
10.1% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Jackson -1.7%, Austin -5.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Jackson | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 70Β°F |
| January avg low | 38Β°F | 42Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 97Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.3" | 36.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Austin β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: JACKSON HAWKINS FLD, MS US, AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Jackson | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 967,862 |
| Median household income | $43,238 | $91,461 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.2% | 36.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.2 |
Austin households earn about 10.1% more than Jackson at the median β $43,238 β $91,461 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Austin MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Mississippi and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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 Austin average 97Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Austin compare to Jackson?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Austin MSA vs $39,540 in the Jackson MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 252,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Jackson vs Austin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,461 in Austin vs $43,238 in Jackson β a 111.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Austin more expensive than Jackson?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Austin is 10.1% higher than Jackson (98.066 vs 89.048, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Austin compared to Jackson?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,530 in Austin vs $87,256 in Jackson β a 482.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Austin, TX from Jackson, MS?
The driving distance is 539 mi and the route typically takes 10h 2m via I 20 and TX 31. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Jackson to Austin?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 539 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 Jackson.
City profiles: Jackson, MS Β· Austin, TX.