Moving from Portland, OR to Jackson, MS
Cross-country relocations like Portland, OR β Jackson, MS cover 2449 mi and about 42h 35m of driving through 9 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.
2449 mi Β· 42h 35m by car Β· OR β ID β UT β WY β CO β KS β OK β AR β MS
Distance & route
| Route through | OR β ID β UT β WY β CO β KS β OK β AR β MS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, US 30, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Hillsboro, Vancouver, Gresham, Nampa, Boise City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Portland | Jackson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.421 | 89.048 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.974 | 78.137 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.222 | 96.219 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.114 | 64.768 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 105.421 to 89.048, putting Jackson roughly 15.5% below Portland on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Jackson: 15.5% below Portland on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Portland -1.1%, Jackson -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Portland | Jackson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 38Β°F |
| July avg high | 80Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.6" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 44.1" | 51.3" |
Climate warms by 11.2Β°F on the annual average β 54.8Β°F β 66.0Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PORTLAND KGW-TV, OR US, JACKSON HAWKINS FLD, MS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Portland | Jackson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 149,827 |
| Median household income | $88,792 | $43,238 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.1% | 16.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.24 | 2.42 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 15.5% between Portland 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 Oregon 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
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (11.2Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Portland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,540 in the Jackson MSA vs $55,940 in the Portland MSA, on total employment of 252,860 and 1,206,150 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Jackson, MS from Portland, OR?
The driving distance is 2449 mi and the route typically takes 42h 35m via I 84 and US 30. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Jackson compared to Portland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $87,256 in Jackson vs $534,638 in Portland β a 83.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Portland to Jackson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2449 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Portland vs Jackson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $43,238 in Jackson vs $88,792 in Portland β a 51.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Jackson more expensive than Portland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Jackson is 15.5% lower than Portland (89.048 vs 105.421, 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 Portland.
City profiles: Portland, OR Β· Jackson, MS.