Moving from San Mateo, CA to Jackson, MS

Moving from San Mateo, CA to Jackson, MS is a 2114 mi cross-country relocation β€” about 37h 33m of driving through 6 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.

2114 mi Β· 37h 33m by car Β· MS β†’ LA β†’ TX β†’ NM β†’ AZ β†’ CA

COL -23.0% Home values -94.8% Ξ” +7.3Β°F annual

Distance & route

Driving
2114 mi
Drive time
37h 33m
States
6
Fuel (25 mpg)
85 gal
Route throughMS β†’ LA β†’ TX β†’ NM β†’ AZ β†’ CA
Primary highwaysI 40, US 287, US 80
Major cities en routeShreveport, Tyler, Mesquite, Dallas, Garland

Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.

Cost of living

San MateoJacksonU.S. avg
All items (RPP)115.61389.048100.0
Rents172.58578.137100.0
Goods108.46596.219100.0
Services194.71864.768100.0

Cost of living in Jackson is 23.0% lower than San Mateo 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

San Mateo β€” typical home
$1,686,905
Jackson β€” typical home
$87,256
San Mateo β€” typical rent
$3,503/mo
Jackson β€” typical rent
$1,239/mo

Homes run dramatically cheaper in Jackson: 23.0% below San Mateo on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).

YoY change: San Mateo +0.6%, Jackson -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.

Climate

1991–2020 normalsSan MateoJackson
Annual avg temperature59Β°F66Β°F
January avg low45Β°F38Β°F
July avg high73Β°F92Β°F
Annual snowfallβ€”β€”
Annual precipitation19.6"51.3"

Jackson runs 7.3Β°F warmer on the annual average (58.7Β°F vs 66.0Β°F, NOAA 1991–2020).

Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US, JACKSON HAWKINS FLD, MS US).

Demographics

ACS 5-year 2023San MateoJackson
Population103,555149,827
Median household income$152,669$43,238
Median age3834.7
Bachelor's degree or higher31.4%16.2%
Avg household size2.62.42

Median household income in Jackson is 23.0% below San Mateo ($152,669 vs $43,238, ACS 5-year 2023).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.

Jobs & wages

San Mateo MSA β€” median wage
$72,050
Jackson MSA β€” median wage
$39,540
San Mateo MSA β€” employment
2,422,210
Jackson MSA β€” employment
252,860

Top occupations in Jackson MSA

OccupationEmploymentMedian 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

California income tax
13.3% top marginal
Mississippi income tax
4.4% top marginal

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 20–30% 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 household income compare in San Mateo vs Jackson?

Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $43,238 in Jackson vs $152,669 in San Mateo β€” a 71.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.

How far is Jackson, MS from San Mateo, CA?

The driving distance is 2114 mi and the route typically takes 37h 33m via I 40 and US 287. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.

How much do homes cost in Jackson compared to San Mateo?

Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $87,256 in Jackson vs $1,686,905 in San Mateo β€” a 94.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.

When is the best time to move from San Mateo to Jackson?

Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2114 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β€” see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.

How does the job market in Jackson compare to San Mateo?

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,540 in the Jackson MSA vs $72,050 in the San Mateo MSA, on total employment of 252,860 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.

Is Jackson more expensive than San Mateo?

Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Jackson is 23.0% lower than San Mateo (89.048 vs 115.613, 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 San Mateo.

City profiles: San Mateo, CA Β· Jackson, MS.

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