Moving from Kansas City, MO to Jackson, MS
A move from Kansas City, MO to Jackson, MS covers 679 mi and around 12h 44m of driving through 3 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
679 mi Β· 12h 44m by car Β· MO β AR β MS
Distance & route
| Route through | MO β AR β MS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 71, US 65, I 40 |
| Major cities en route | Independence, Kansas City, Overland Park, Olathe, Lee S Summit |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Kansas City | Jackson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 89.048 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 78.137 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 96.219 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 64.768 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Jackson and Kansas City is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Jackson is 3.8% below Kansas City β $250,208 vs $87,256 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Kansas City +0.8%, Jackson -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Kansas City | Jackson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 38Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 11.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 38.1" | 51.3" |
Jackson runs 9.1Β°F warmer on the annual average (56.9Β°F vs 66.0Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US, JACKSON HAWKINS FLD, MS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kansas City | Jackson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 149,827 |
| Median household income | $67,449 | $43,238 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.8% | 16.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 2.42 |
Median household income in Jackson is 3.8% below Kansas City ($67,449 vs $43,238, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Jackson MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 31,490 | $36,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 26,230 | $36,470 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 23,080 | $29,690 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 22,970 | $66,380 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 22,370 | $22,500 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Missouri and Mississippi
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Mississippi'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 Jackson average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Jackson averages 51.3 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November on the Gulf Coast.
- 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 Mississippi after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Kansas City vs Jackson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $43,238 in Jackson vs $67,449 in Kansas City β a 35.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Jackson, MS from Kansas City, MO?
The driving distance is 679 mi and the route typically takes 12h 44m via US 71 and US 65. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Jackson more expensive than Kansas City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Jackson is 3.8% lower than Kansas City (89.048 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Jackson compared to Kansas City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $87,256 in Jackson vs $250,208 in Kansas City β a 65.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Jackson compare to Kansas City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,540 in the Jackson MSA vs $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA, on total employment of 252,860 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Kansas City to Jackson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 679 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 Kansas City.
City profiles: Kansas City, MO Β· Jackson, MS.