Moving from Palmdale, CA to Jackson, MS
A 1800 mi cross-country move between Palmdale and Jackson is 31h 46m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 6 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1800 mi Β· 31h 46m 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 40, I 20, US 287 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Clarita, Lancaster, Glendale, Pasadena, Burbank |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Palmdale | Jackson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 89.048 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 78.137 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 96.219 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 64.768 | 100.0 |
Jackson sits 21.6% cheaper than Palmdale on the BEA RPP, one of the larger gaps you will see between U.S. metros.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $501,257 in Palmdale to $87,256 in Jackson, a 21.6% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Palmdale -1.3%, Jackson -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Palmdale | Jackson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 35Β°F | 38Β°F |
| July avg high | 98Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 7.3" | 51.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 63.6Β°F vs 66.0Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PALMDALE, CA US, JACKSON HAWKINS FLD, MS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Palmdale | Jackson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 165,487 | 149,827 |
| Median household income | $81,151 | $43,238 |
| Median age | 33.2 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.4% | 16.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.56 | 2.42 |
Jackson households earn about 21.6% less than Palmdale at the median β $81,151 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 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 household income compare in Palmdale vs Jackson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $43,238 in Jackson vs $81,151 in Palmdale β a 46.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Palmdale to Jackson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1800 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Jackson more expensive than Palmdale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Jackson is 21.6% lower than Palmdale (89.048 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Jackson compare to Palmdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,540 in the Jackson MSA vs $50,490 in the Palmdale MSA, on total employment of 252,860 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Jackson compared to Palmdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $87,256 in Jackson vs $501,257 in Palmdale β a 82.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Jackson, MS from Palmdale, CA?
The driving distance is 1800 mi and the route typically takes 31h 46m via I 40 and I 20. The trip crosses 6 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 Palmdale.
City profiles: Palmdale, CA Β· Jackson, MS.