Moving from Meridian, ID to Jackson, MS
A 2032 mi cross-country move between Meridian and Jackson is 35h 5m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 8 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.
2032 mi Β· 35h 5m by car Β· MS β AR β OK β KS β CO β WY β UT β ID
Distance & route
| Route through | MS β AR β OK β KS β CO β WY β UT β ID |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, I 84 |
| Major cities en route | Little Rock, Broken Arrow, Tulsa, Wichita, Denver |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Meridian | Jackson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.391 | 89.048 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 70.695 | 78.137 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.179 | 96.219 | 100.0 |
| Services | 105.58 | 64.768 | 100.0 |
Expect about 9.5% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Jackson at 89.048 vs Meridian at 98.391.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 9.5% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $526,994 to $87,256 moving to Jackson.
YoY change: Meridian 0.0%, Jackson -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Meridian | Jackson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 38Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 17.6" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.5" | 51.3" |
Annual temperature rises 12.8Β°F moving to Jackson per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BOISE AIR TERMINAL, ID US, JACKSON HAWKINS FLD, MS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Meridian | Jackson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,865 | 149,827 |
| Median household income | $98,686 | $43,238 |
| Median age | 37.4 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.3% | 16.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.42 |
Jackson households earn about 9.5% less than Meridian at the median β $98,686 β $43,238 on ACS 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 Idaho 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.
Winter driving along this route
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (12.8Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 the job market in Jackson compare to Meridian?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,540 in the Jackson MSA vs $45,320 in the Meridian MSA, on total employment of 252,860 and 372,470 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Meridian to Jackson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2032 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Jackson, MS from Meridian, ID?
The driving distance is 2032 mi and the route typically takes 35h 5m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Jackson compared to Meridian?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $87,256 in Jackson vs $526,994 in Meridian β a 83.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Jackson more expensive than Meridian?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Jackson is 9.5% lower than Meridian (89.048 vs 98.391, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Meridian vs Jackson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $43,238 in Jackson vs $98,686 in Meridian β a 56.2% lower 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 Meridian.
City profiles: Meridian, ID Β· Jackson, MS.