Moving from Jackson, MS to Brownsville, TX
The drive from Jackson, MS to Brownsville, TX runs 793 mi β about 15h 9m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
793 mi Β· 15h 9m by car Β· TX β LA β MS
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 77, I 55 |
| Major cities en route | Mcallen, Corpus Christi, Sugar Land, Pearland, Houston |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Jackson | Brownsville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.048 | 85.975 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 78.137 | 81.15 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.219 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 64.768 | 57.72 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Brownsville and Jackson is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Brownsville is 3.5% above Jackson β $87,256 vs $195,993 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Jackson -1.7%, Brownsville +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Jackson | Brownsville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 74Β°F |
| January avg low | 38Β°F | 51Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 51.3" | β |
Climate warms by 8.4Β°F on the annual average β 66.0Β°F β 74.4Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: JACKSON HAWKINS FLD, MS US, WFO BROWNSVILLE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Jackson | Brownsville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 188,023 |
| Median household income | $43,238 | $48,675 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 30.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.2% | 15.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 3.21 |
Income steps up 3.5%: $43,238 in Jackson vs $48,675 in Brownsville.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Brownsville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 23,130 | $22,740 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 19,670 | $22,260 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 19,400 | $34,840 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 15,770 | $22,990 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 12,620 | $55,410 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Mississippi and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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 Brownsville average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Brownsville compare to Jackson?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $33,540 in the Brownsville MSA vs $39,540 in the Jackson MSA, on total employment of 154,580 and 252,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Brownsville compared to Jackson?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $195,993 in Brownsville vs $87,256 in Jackson β a 124.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Brownsville, TX from Jackson, MS?
The driving distance is 793 mi and the route typically takes 15h 9m via I 10 and US 77. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Jackson to Brownsville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 793 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Jackson vs Brownsville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,675 in Brownsville vs $43,238 in Jackson β a 12.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Brownsville more expensive than Jackson?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Brownsville is 3.5% lower than Jackson (85.975 vs 89.048, 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 Jackson.
City profiles: Jackson, MS Β· Brownsville, TX.