Moving from Buffalo, NY to Jackson, MS
It is 1119 mi between Buffalo and Jackson β roughly 20h 55m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 6 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.
1119 mi Β· 20h 55m by car Β· NY β PA β OH β KY β TN β MS
Distance & route
| Route through | NY β PA β OH β KY β TN β MS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 71, I 40, I 55 |
| Major cities en route | Cleveland, Akron, Columbus, Dayton, Cincinnati |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Buffalo | Jackson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.844 | 89.048 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 129.489 | 78.137 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.693 | 96.219 | 100.0 |
| Services | 80.989 | 64.768 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 7.1% moving from Buffalo to Jackson β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $238,089 in Buffalo to $87,256 in Jackson, a 7.1% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Buffalo +3.8%, Jackson -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Buffalo | Jackson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 38Β°F |
| July avg high | 80Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 95.4" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.7" | 51.3" |
Annual average temperature jumps 17.2Β°F β 48.8Β°F in Buffalo vs 66.0Β°F in Jackson, per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BUFFALO, NY US, JACKSON HAWKINS FLD, MS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Buffalo | Jackson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 149,827 |
| Median household income | $48,050 | $43,238 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.9% | 16.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.31 | 2.42 |
Households in Jackson earn about 7.1% less at the median β ACS 5-year 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 New York 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
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter β check 511NY.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- 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 (17.2Β°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 far is Jackson, MS from Buffalo, NY?
The driving distance is 1119 mi and the route typically takes 20h 55m via I 71 and I 40. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Jackson compared to Buffalo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $87,256 in Jackson vs $238,089 in Buffalo β a 63.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Buffalo to Jackson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1119 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Jackson more expensive than Buffalo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Jackson is 7.1% lower than Buffalo (89.048 vs 95.844, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Jackson compare to Buffalo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,540 in the Jackson MSA vs $48,560 in the Buffalo MSA, on total employment of 252,860 and 526,990 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Buffalo vs Jackson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $43,238 in Jackson vs $48,050 in Buffalo β a 10.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Buffalo.
City profiles: Buffalo, NY Β· Jackson, MS.