Moving from Rockford, IL to Jackson, MS
A move from Rockford, IL to Jackson, MS covers 764 mi and around 14h 13m of driving through 5 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
764 mi Β· 14h 13m by car Β· MS β TN β AR β MO β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | MS β TN β AR β MO β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 55, US 51, US 78 |
| Major cities en route | Memphis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rockford | Jackson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.154 | 89.048 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.378 | 78.137 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 96.219 | 100.0 |
| Services | 70.076 | 64.768 | 100.0 |
Jackson and Rockford are close on the overall BEA RPP (92.154 vs 89.048); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Jackson typical home at $87,256 is 3.4% under Rockford at $177,225 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Rockford +9.9%, Jackson -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Rockford | Jackson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 15Β°F | 38Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 37.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 37.2" | 51.3" |
NOAA normals show Jackson running 16.6Β°F above Rockford on the annual mean.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ROCKFORD GTR ROCKFORD AP, IL US, JACKSON HAWKINS FLD, MS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rockford | Jackson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 149,827 |
| Median household income | $53,328 | $43,238 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.9% | 16.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.42 |
Median household income in Jackson is 3.4% below Rockford ($53,328 β $43,238, 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 Illinois 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
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (16.6Β°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 far is Jackson, MS from Rockford, IL?
The driving distance is 764 mi and the route typically takes 14h 13m via I 55 and US 51. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Rockford to Jackson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 764 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Jackson compared to Rockford?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $87,256 in Jackson vs $177,225 in Rockford β a 50.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Rockford vs Jackson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $43,238 in Jackson vs $53,328 in Rockford β a 18.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Jackson compare to Rockford?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,540 in the Jackson MSA vs $44,810 in the Rockford MSA, on total employment of 252,860 and 138,920 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Jackson more expensive than Rockford?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Jackson is 3.4% lower than Rockford (89.048 vs 92.154, 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 Rockford.
City profiles: Rockford, IL Β· Jackson, MS.