Moving from Pasadena, CA to Jackson, MS
Cross-country relocations like Pasadena, CA β Jackson, MS cover 1834 mi and about 31h 51m of driving through 6 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1834 mi Β· 31h 51m by car Β· MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 20, US 80 |
| Major cities en route | Shreveport, Tyler, Garland, Mesquite, Richardson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Pasadena | 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 |
Cost of living in Jackson is 21.6% lower than Pasadena β the kind of spread that reshuffles a household budget line by line.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Jackson: 21.6% below Pasadena on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Pasadena -1.0%, Jackson -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Pasadena | Jackson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 46Β°F | 38Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 20.1" | 51.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PASADENA, CA US, JACKSON HAWKINS FLD, MS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Pasadena | Jackson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,462 | 149,827 |
| Median household income | $103,778 | $43,238 |
| Median age | 40.1 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30% | 16.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.42 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 21.6% between Pasadena and Jackson (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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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 Pasadena?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,540 in the Jackson MSA vs $50,490 in the Pasadena 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.
When is the best time to move from Pasadena to Jackson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1834 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 Pasadena, CA?
The driving distance is 1834 mi and the route typically takes 31h 51m via I 10 and I 20. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Jackson more expensive than Pasadena?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Jackson is 21.6% lower than Pasadena (89.048 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Jackson compared to Pasadena?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $87,256 in Jackson vs $1,209,228 in Pasadena β a 92.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Pasadena vs Jackson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $43,238 in Jackson vs $103,778 in Pasadena β a 58.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Pasadena.
City profiles: Pasadena, CA Β· Jackson, MS.