Moving from Jackson, MS to Laredo, TX
The drive from Jackson, MS to Laredo, TX runs 772 mi β about 14h 9m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
772 mi Β· 14h 9m by car Β· TX β LA β MS
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, I 20, I 27 |
| Major cities en route | San Antonio, Austin, Round Rock, Killeen, Waco |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Jackson | Laredo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.048 | 86.956 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 78.137 | 80.614 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.219 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 64.768 | 59.746 | 100.0 |
Laredo and Jackson are close on the overall BEA RPP (89.048 vs 86.956); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Laredo typical home at $220,331 is 2.3% above Jackson at $87,256 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Jackson -1.7%, Laredo +2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Jackson | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 75Β°F |
| January avg low | 38Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 100Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.3" | 19.7" |
Climate warms by 9.0Β°F on the annual average β 66.0Β°F β 75.0Β°F.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Laredo sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: JACKSON HAWKINS FLD, MS US, LAREDO 2, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Jackson | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 255,949 |
| Median household income | $43,238 | $63,264 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 29.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.2% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 3.36 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 2.3% between Jackson and Laredo (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Laredo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 15,810 | $34,040 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 15,300 | $35,870 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 10,740 | $23,180 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 9,360 | $28,410 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 9,330 | $22,560 |
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 Laredo average 100Β°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 much do homes cost in Laredo compared to Jackson?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $220,331 in Laredo vs $87,256 in Jackson β a 152.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Laredo compare to Jackson?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $35,220 in the Laredo MSA vs $39,540 in the Jackson MSA, on total employment of 104,610 and 252,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Jackson to Laredo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 772 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Laredo more expensive than Jackson?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Laredo is 2.3% lower than Jackson (86.956 vs 89.048, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Jackson vs Laredo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,264 in Laredo vs $43,238 in Jackson β a 46.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Laredo, TX from Jackson, MS?
The driving distance is 772 mi and the route typically takes 14h 9m via I 35 and I 20. The trip crosses 3 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 Jackson.
City profiles: Jackson, MS Β· Laredo, TX.