Moving from Ontario, CA to Jackson, MS
It is 1797 mi and 31h 10m from Ontario to Jackson β a cross-country move across 6 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1797 mi Β· 31h 10m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 20, US 180 |
| Major cities en route | Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Ontario | Jackson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 89.048 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 78.137 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 96.219 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 64.768 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 16.3% moving from Ontario to Jackson β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $672,742 in Ontario to $87,256 in Jackson, a 16.3% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Ontario -1.7%, Jackson -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Ontario | Jackson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 38Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 51.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 66.8Β°F vs 66.0Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US, JACKSON HAWKINS FLD, MS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Ontario | Jackson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 178,347 | 149,827 |
| Median household income | $82,806 | $43,238 |
| Median age | 33.1 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.1% | 16.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.39 | 2.42 |
Expect median household income to fall 16.3% β $82,806 β $43,238 per ACS 5-year estimates (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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close 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 does the job market in Jackson compare to Ontario?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,540 in the Jackson MSA vs $47,450 in the Ontario MSA, on total employment of 252,860 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Ontario vs Jackson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $43,238 in Jackson vs $82,806 in Ontario β a 47.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Jackson more expensive than Ontario?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Jackson is 16.3% lower than Ontario (89.048 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Ontario to Jackson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1797 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Jackson, MS from Ontario, CA?
The driving distance is 1797 mi and the route typically takes 31h 10m via I 10 and I 20. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Jackson compared to Ontario?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $87,256 in Jackson vs $672,742 in Ontario β a 87.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Ontario.
City profiles: Ontario, CA Β· Jackson, MS.