Moving from Jackson, MS to St. Louis, MO
It is a 495 mi drive, roughly 8h 58m, between Jackson, MS and St. Louis, MO. 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.
495 mi Β· 8h 58m by car Β· MO β AR β TN β MS
Distance & route
| Route through | MO β AR β TN β MS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 55, US 78, I 220 |
| Major cities en route | Memphis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Jackson | St. Louis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.048 | 95.088 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 78.137 | 69.921 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.219 | 99.996 | 100.0 |
| Services | 64.768 | 79.024 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 6.8% 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
YoY change: Jackson -1.7%, St. Louis β. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Jackson | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 38Β°F | 25Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 51.3" | 43.9" |
Annual temperature drops 8.0Β°F moving to St. Louis per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: JACKSON HAWKINS FLD, MS US, ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Jackson | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 293,109 |
| Median household income | $43,238 | $55,279 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 36.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.2% | 22% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.03 |
St. Louis households earn about 6.8% more than Jackson at the median β $43,238 β $55,279 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in St. Louis MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 162,150 | $43,310 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 119,600 | $29,980 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 115,380 | $39,330 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 108,510 | $35,500 |
| Management Occupations | 94,750 | $100,940 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Mississippi and Missouri
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Missouri'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
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Tornadoes are common April through June β identify a safe room or interior space on day one.
- 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 Missouri after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is St. Louis, MO from Jackson, MS?
The driving distance is 495 mi and the route typically takes 8h 58m via I 55 and US 78. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in St. Louis compare to Jackson?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,490 in the St. Louis MSA vs $39,540 in the Jackson MSA, on total employment of 1,325,480 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 St. Louis?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 495 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is St. Louis more expensive than Jackson?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in St. Louis is 6.8% higher than Jackson (95.088 vs 89.048, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Jackson vs St. Louis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,279 in St. Louis vs $43,238 in Jackson β a 27.8% 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· St. Louis, MO.