Moving from Jackson, MS to Houston, TX
It is a 444 mi drive, roughly 8h 16m, between Jackson, MS and Houston, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
444 mi Β· 8h 16m by car Β· TX β LA β MS
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 55, I 12 |
| Major cities en route | Sugar Land, Pearland, Pasadena, League City, Beaumont |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Jackson | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.048 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 78.137 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.219 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 64.768 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 10.8% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 10.8% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $87,256 to $264,336 moving to Houston.
YoY change: Jackson -1.7%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Jackson | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 38Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.3" | 54.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Jackson (66.0Β°F) and Houston (70.6Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Houston gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: JACKSON HAWKINS FLD, MS US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Jackson | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $43,238 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.2% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.51 |
Houston households earn about 10.8% more than Jackson at the median β $43,238 β $62,894 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Houston MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 387,430 | $41,570 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 305,780 | $39,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 288,170 | $27,490 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 269,160 | $35,450 |
| Management Occupations | 268,670 | $109,460 |
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 Houston average 93Β°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: Houston averages 54.1 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $43,238 in Jackson β a 45.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Houston compare to Jackson?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $39,540 in the Jackson MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 252,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Houston compared to Jackson?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $87,256 in Jackson β a 202.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Houston, TX from Jackson, MS?
The driving distance is 444 mi and the route typically takes 8h 16m via I 10 and I 55. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Jackson to Houston?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 444 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Houston more expensive than Jackson?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 10.8% higher than Jackson (98.629 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· Houston, TX.