Moving from West Palm Beach, FL to Jackson, MS
It is 842 mi between West Palm Beach and Jackson β roughly 15h 42m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
842 mi Β· 15h 42m by car Β· MS β AL β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | MS β AL β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 75, US 49 |
| Major cities en route | Mobile, Tallahassee, Gainesville, Orlando, Palm Bay |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| West Palm Beach | Jackson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 114.155 | 89.048 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 97.235 | 78.137 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.556 | 96.219 | 100.0 |
| Services | 155.551 | 64.768 | 100.0 |
Jackson sits 22.0% cheaper than West Palm Beach on the BEA RPP, one of the larger gaps you will see between U.S. metros.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $399,471 in West Palm Beach to $87,256 in Jackson, a 22.0% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: West Palm Beach -3.1%, Jackson -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | West Palm Beach | Jackson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 58Β°F | 38Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 61.7" | 51.3" |
Annual temperature drops 9.8Β°F moving to Jackson per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WEST PALM BEACH INTL AP, FL US, JACKSON HAWKINS FLD, MS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Palm Beach | Jackson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,508 | 149,827 |
| Median household income | $69,261 | $43,238 |
| Median age | 40.2 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.4% | 16.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.37 | 2.42 |
Jackson households earn about 22.0% less than West Palm Beach at the median β $69,261 β $43,238 on 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 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
Is Jackson more expensive than West Palm Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Jackson is 22.0% lower than West Palm Beach (89.048 vs 114.155, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Jackson compare to West Palm Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,540 in the Jackson MSA vs $46,510 in the West Palm Beach MSA, on total employment of 252,860 and 2,721,490 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Jackson compared to West Palm Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $87,256 in Jackson vs $399,471 in West Palm Beach β a 78.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in West Palm Beach vs Jackson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $43,238 in Jackson vs $69,261 in West Palm Beach β a 37.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Jackson, MS from West Palm Beach, FL?
The driving distance is 842 mi and the route typically takes 15h 42m via I 10 and I 75. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from West Palm Beach to Jackson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 842 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from West Palm Beach.
City profiles: West Palm Beach, FL Β· Jackson, MS.