Moving from Jackson, MS to Long Beach, CA
It is 1839 mi and 32h 1m from Jackson to Long Beach β a cross-country move across 6 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1839 mi Β· 32h 1m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 20, US 180 |
| Major cities en route | Los Angeles, Glendale, Torrance, Pasadena, Downey |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Jackson | Long Beach | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.048 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 78.137 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.219 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 64.768 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP climbs from 89.048 in Jackson to 113.566 in Long Beach, putting overall prices 27.5% above the origin.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 27.5% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $87,256 to $857,861 moving to Long Beach.
YoY change: Jackson -1.7%, Long Beach +0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Jackson | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 38Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 51.3" | 12.0" |
Annual average temperatures in Jackson (66.0Β°F) and Long Beach (64.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: JACKSON HAWKINS FLD, MS US, LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Jackson | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 458,491 |
| Median household income | $43,238 | $83,969 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.2% | 22.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.68 |
Expect median household income to rise 27.5% β $43,238 β $83,969 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Long Beach MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Mississippi and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Long Beach sees only 12.0 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Jackson vs Long Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,969 in Long Beach vs $43,238 in Jackson β a 94.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Jackson to Long Beach?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1839 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Long Beach, CA from Jackson, MS?
The driving distance is 1839 mi and the route typically takes 32h 1m via I 10 and I 20. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Long Beach more expensive than Jackson?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Long Beach is 27.5% higher than Jackson (113.566 vs 89.048, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Long Beach compare to Jackson?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Long Beach MSA vs $39,540 in the Jackson MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 252,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Long Beach compared to Jackson?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $857,861 in Long Beach vs $87,256 in Jackson β a 883.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Jackson.
City profiles: Jackson, MS Β· Long Beach, CA.