Moving from Cary, NC to Jackson, MS
It is 784 mi between Cary and Jackson β roughly 14h 43m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 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.
784 mi Β· 14h 43m by car Β· NC β SC β GA β AL β MS
Distance & route
| Route through | NC β SC β GA β AL β MS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 85, I 59 |
| Major cities en route | Raleigh, Durham, Greensboro, High Point, Winston Salem |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cary | Jackson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.157 | 89.048 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.96 | 78.137 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 96.219 | 100.0 |
| Services | 103.476 | 64.768 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 9.3% cheaper overall in Jackson than Cary on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
9.3% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Cary -1.7%, Jackson -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cary | Jackson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 38Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 4.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 48.3" | 51.3" |
Annual temperature rises 5.9Β°F moving to Jackson per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: APEX, NC US, JACKSON HAWKINS FLD, MS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cary | Jackson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 149,827 |
| Median household income | $129,399 | $43,238 |
| Median age | 39.8 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.4% | 16.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.42 |
Jackson households earn about 9.3% less than Cary at the median β $129,399 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 North Carolina 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 Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade 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.
- 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 Cary?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Jackson is 9.3% lower than Cary (89.048 vs 98.157, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Cary to Jackson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 784 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 Cary?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $87,256 in Jackson vs $626,396 in Cary β a 86.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Jackson compare to Cary?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,540 in the Jackson MSA vs $48,800 in the Cary MSA, on total employment of 252,860 and 702,580 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Jackson, MS from Cary, NC?
The driving distance is 784 mi and the route typically takes 14h 43m via I 20 and I 85. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Cary vs Jackson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $43,238 in Jackson vs $129,399 in Cary β a 66.6% 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 Cary.
City profiles: Cary, NC Β· Jackson, MS.