Moving from Jackson, MS to Midland, TX
The drive from Jackson, MS to Midland, TX runs 733 mi β about 12h 59m 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.
733 mi Β· 12h 59m by car Β· MS β LA β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | MS β LA β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, US 61 |
| Major cities en route | Shreveport, Tyler, Garland, Mesquite, Richardson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Jackson | Midland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.048 | 95.783 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 78.137 | 83.24 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.219 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 64.768 | 101.497 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 7.6% pricier overall in Midland than Jackson on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Midland typical home at $328,325 is 7.6% above Jackson at $87,256 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Jackson -1.7%, Midland +2.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Jackson | Midland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 38Β°F | 31Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 1.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.3" | 13.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 66.0Β°F vs 65.0Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Expect 1.9 in of snow annually at the destination β manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: JACKSON HAWKINS FLD, MS US, MIDLAND 4 ENE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Jackson | Midland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 133,998 |
| Median household income | $43,238 | $91,169 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 31.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.2% | 23.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.54 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 7.6% between Jackson and Midland (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Midland MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Construction and Extraction Occupations | 17,160 | $49,990 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 14,010 | $48,020 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 11,250 | $45,440 |
| Management Occupations | 10,010 | $126,770 |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations | 9,680 | $56,990 |
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 Midland average 95Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Midland sees only 13.6 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 household income compare in Jackson vs Midland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,169 in Midland vs $43,238 in Jackson β a 110.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Midland compared to Jackson?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $328,325 in Midland vs $87,256 in Jackson β a 276.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Midland, TX from Jackson, MS?
The driving distance is 733 mi and the route typically takes 12h 59m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Midland compare to Jackson?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,470 in the Midland MSA vs $39,540 in the Jackson MSA, on total employment of 114,810 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 Midland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 733 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Midland more expensive than Jackson?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Midland is 7.6% higher than Jackson (95.783 vs 89.048, 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 Jackson.
City profiles: Jackson, MS Β· Midland, TX.