Moving from Jackson, MS to Surprise, AZ
A 1501 mi cross-country move between Jackson and Surprise is 26h 4m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 5 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1501 mi Β· 26h 4m by car Β· MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 10, US 80 |
| 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 | Surprise | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.048 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 78.137 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.219 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 64.768 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Surprise runs about 16.0% more expensive overall than Jackson β RPP 89.048 β 103.316.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $87,256 in Jackson to $422,473 in Surprise, a 16.0% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Jackson -1.7%, Surprise -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Jackson | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 70Β°F |
| January avg low | 38Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 105Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.3" | 9.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 66.0Β°F vs 70.2Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Surprise sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: JACKSON HAWKINS FLD, MS US, WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Jackson | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 149,519 |
| Median household income | $43,238 | $93,371 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 41.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.2% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.75 |
Surprise households earn about 16.0% more than Jackson at the median β $43,238 β $93,371 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Surprise MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Mississippi and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Surprise average 105Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Surprise sees only 9.6 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Jackson to Surprise?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1501 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Surprise more expensive than Jackson?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Surprise is 16.0% higher than Jackson (103.316 vs 89.048, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Surprise compare to Jackson?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Surprise MSA vs $39,540 in the Jackson MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 252,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Surprise, AZ from Jackson, MS?
The driving distance is 1501 mi and the route typically takes 26h 4m via I 20 and I 10. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Jackson vs Surprise?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,371 in Surprise vs $43,238 in Jackson β a 115.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Surprise compared to Jackson?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $422,473 in Surprise vs $87,256 in Jackson β a 384.2% 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· Surprise, AZ.