Moving from Jackson, MS to El Paso, TX
A move from Jackson, MS to El Paso, TX covers 1037 mi and around 17h 55m of driving through 3 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1037 mi Β· 17h 55m by car Β· TX β LA β MS
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 10, US 180 |
| Major cities en route | Odessa, Midland, Abilene, Fort Worth, Arlington |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Jackson | El Paso | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.048 | 89.912 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 78.137 | 82.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.219 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 64.768 | 71.248 | 100.0 |
El Paso and Jackson are close on the overall BEA RPP (89.048 vs 89.912); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: El Paso typical home at $234,775 is 1.0% above Jackson at $87,256 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Jackson -1.7%, El Paso +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Jackson | El Paso |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 38Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 2.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.3" | 8.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 66.0Β°F vs 66.2Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Expect 2.8 in of snow annually at the destination β manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: JACKSON HAWKINS FLD, MS US, EL PASO INTL AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Jackson | El Paso |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 678,147 |
| Median household income | $43,238 | $58,734 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 34.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.2% | 18.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.8 |
Median household income in El Paso is 1.0% above Jackson ($43,238 vs $58,734, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in El Paso MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 44,500 | $35,550 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 34,790 | $23,150 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 32,160 | $33,850 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 31,050 | $28,800 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 23,040 | $61,670 |
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 El Paso average 96Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: El Paso sees only 8.8 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 household income compare in Jackson vs El Paso?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,734 in El Paso vs $43,238 in Jackson β a 35.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Jackson to El Paso?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1037 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is El Paso, TX from Jackson, MS?
The driving distance is 1037 mi and the route typically takes 17h 55m via I 20 and I 10. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in El Paso compare to Jackson?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $36,000 in the El Paso MSA vs $39,540 in the Jackson MSA, on total employment of 323,310 and 252,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in El Paso compared to Jackson?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $234,775 in El Paso vs $87,256 in Jackson β a 169.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is El Paso more expensive than Jackson?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in El Paso is 1.0% higher than Jackson (89.912 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· El Paso, TX.