Moving from Jackson, MS to Odessa, TX
The drive from Jackson, MS to Odessa, TX runs 750 mi β about 13h 15m 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.
750 mi Β· 13h 15m by car Β· MS β LA β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | MS β LA β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, US 61 |
| Major cities en route | Shreveport, Tyler, Mesquite, Garland, Richardson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Jackson | Odessa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.048 | 93.896 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 78.137 | 82.86 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.219 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 64.768 | 89.709 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 5.4% pricier overall in Odessa than Jackson on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Odessa typical home at $251,239 is 5.4% above Jackson at $87,256 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Jackson -1.7%, Odessa +5.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Jackson | Odessa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 38Β°F | 32Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.3" | 12.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 66.0Β°F vs 64.4Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Odessa sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: JACKSON HAWKINS FLD, MS US, ODESSA, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Jackson | Odessa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 114,080 |
| Median household income | $43,238 | $73,030 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 31 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.2% | 12.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.54 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 5.4% between Jackson and Odessa (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Odessa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 9,160 | $44,240 |
| Construction and Extraction Occupations | 8,860 | $46,810 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 8,230 | $41,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 7,770 | $28,170 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 7,360 | $36,360 |
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 Odessa average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Odessa sees only 12.3 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 far is Odessa, TX from Jackson, MS?
The driving distance is 750 mi and the route typically takes 13h 15m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Odessa more expensive than Jackson?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Odessa is 5.4% higher than Jackson (93.896 vs 89.048, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Odessa compared to Jackson?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $251,239 in Odessa vs $87,256 in Jackson β a 187.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Odessa compare to Jackson?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,830 in the Odessa MSA vs $39,540 in the Jackson MSA, on total employment of 76,440 and 252,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Jackson to Odessa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 750 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 Odessa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,030 in Odessa vs $43,238 in Jackson β a 68.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Jackson.
City profiles: Jackson, MS Β· Odessa, TX.