Moving from Port St. Lucie, FL to Jackson, MS
Relocating 803 mi from Port St. Lucie to Jackson is a 14h 57m drive through 3 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
803 mi Β· 14h 57m by car Β· FL β AL β MS
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β AL β MS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 75, US 49 |
| Major cities en route | Palm Bay, Orlando, Gainesville, Tallahassee, Mobile |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Port St. Lucie | Jackson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.228 | 89.048 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.031 | 78.137 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 96.219 | 100.0 |
| Services | 113.642 | 64.768 | 100.0 |
Expect about 11.2% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Jackson at 89.048 vs Port St. Lucie at 100.228.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Port St. Lucie β, Jackson -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Port St. Lucie | Jackson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 57Β°F | 38Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 58.9" | 51.3" |
Expect 9.2Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NETTLES IS, FL US, JACKSON HAWKINS FLD, MS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Port St. Lucie | Jackson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,453 | 149,827 |
| Median household income | $78,137 | $43,238 |
| Median age | 43.7 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 16.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.78 | 2.42 |
Expect median household income to fall 11.2% β $78,137 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 Florida 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.
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 Port St. Lucie?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,540 in the Jackson MSA vs $40,900 in the Port St. Lucie MSA, on total employment of 252,860 and 163,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Port St. Lucie to Jackson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 803 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 Port St. Lucie, FL?
The driving distance is 803 mi and the route typically takes 14h 57m via I 10 and I 75. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Port St. Lucie vs Jackson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $43,238 in Jackson vs $78,137 in Port St. Lucie β a 44.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Jackson more expensive than Port St. Lucie?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Jackson is 11.2% lower than Port St. Lucie (89.048 vs 100.228, 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 Port St. Lucie.
City profiles: Port St. Lucie, FL Β· Jackson, MS.