Moving from Seattle, WA to Jackson, MS
It is 2512 mi and 43h 53m from Seattle to Jackson β a cross-country move across 10 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2512 mi Β· 43h 53m by car Β· WA β OR β ID β UT β WY β CO β KS β OK β AR β MS
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β OR β ID β UT β WY β CO β KS β OK β AR β MS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, I 70, US 30 |
| Major cities en route | Everett, Tacoma, Bellevue, Kent, Renton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Seattle | Jackson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 89.048 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 78.137 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 96.219 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 64.768 | 100.0 |
Expect about 19.9% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Jackson at 89.048 vs Seattle at 111.133.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 19.9% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $868,680 to $87,256 moving to Jackson.
YoY change: Seattle -2.3%, Jackson -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Seattle | Jackson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 38Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 37.8" | 51.3" |
Expect 12.8Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US, JACKSON HAWKINS FLD, MS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Seattle | Jackson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 741,440 | 149,827 |
| Median household income | $121,984 | $43,238 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.6% | 16.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.1 | 2.42 |
Expect median household income to fall 19.9% β $121,984 β $43,238 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 Washington 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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- 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.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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.
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
Is Jackson more expensive than Seattle?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Jackson is 19.9% lower than Seattle (89.048 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Jackson compared to Seattle?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $87,256 in Jackson vs $868,680 in Seattle β a 90.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Seattle to Jackson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2512 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 Seattle, WA?
The driving distance is 2512 mi and the route typically takes 43h 53m via I 84 and I 70. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Seattle vs Jackson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $43,238 in Jackson vs $121,984 in Seattle β a 64.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Jackson compare to Seattle?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,540 in the Jackson MSA vs $65,260 in the Seattle MSA, on total employment of 252,860 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Seattle.
City profiles: Seattle, WA Β· Jackson, MS.