Moving from Jackson, MS to McKinney, TX
It is a 425 mi drive, roughly 7h 47m, between Jackson, MS and McKinney, 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.
425 mi Β· 7h 47m by car Β· TX β LA β MS
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, US 75 |
| Major cities en route | Denton, Frisco, Allen, Plano, Richardson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Jackson | McKinney | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.048 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 78.137 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.219 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 64.768 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 15.8% above Jackson β 89.048 β 103.09 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
15.8% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Jackson -1.7%, McKinney -6.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Jackson | McKinney |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 38Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 51.3" | β |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: JACKSON HAWKINS FLD, MS US, MCKINNEY MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Jackson | McKinney |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 202,314 |
| Median household income | $43,238 | $120,273 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 36.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.2% | 34.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.86 |
McKinney households earn about 15.8% more than Jackson at the median β $43,238 β $120,273 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in McKinney MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
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 McKinney average 94Β°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 far is McKinney, TX from Jackson, MS?
The driving distance is 425 mi and the route typically takes 7h 47m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in McKinney compare to Jackson?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the McKinney MSA vs $39,540 in the Jackson MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 252,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is McKinney more expensive than Jackson?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McKinney is 15.8% higher than Jackson (103.09 vs 89.048, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in McKinney compared to Jackson?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $481,963 in McKinney vs $87,256 in Jackson β a 452.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Jackson vs McKinney?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $120,273 in McKinney vs $43,238 in Jackson β a 178.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Jackson to McKinney?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 425 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Jackson.
City profiles: Jackson, MS Β· McKinney, TX.