Moving from Tacoma, WA to Jackson, MS
Moving from Tacoma, WA to Jackson, MS is a 2525 mi cross-country relocation β about 44h 10m of driving through 10 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2525 mi Β· 44h 10m 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 | Kent, Seattle, Renton, Bellevue, Meridian |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tacoma | 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 |
Overall prices in Jackson are 19.9% below Tacoma β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Jackson typical home at $87,256 is 19.9% under Tacoma at $493,840 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Tacoma -0.9%, Jackson -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tacoma | Jackson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 38Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.8" | 51.3" |
Jackson runs 12.3Β°F warmer on the annual average (53.7Β°F vs 66.0Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TACOMA #1, WA US, JACKSON HAWKINS FLD, MS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tacoma | Jackson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 149,827 |
| Median household income | $83,857 | $43,238 |
| Median age | 37.3 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21% | 16.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.42 |
Median household income in Jackson is 19.9% below Tacoma ($83,857 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 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 (12.3Β°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 household income compare in Tacoma vs Jackson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $43,238 in Jackson vs $83,857 in Tacoma β a 48.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Jackson compare to Tacoma?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,540 in the Jackson MSA vs $65,260 in the Tacoma 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.
How far is Jackson, MS from Tacoma, WA?
The driving distance is 2525 mi and the route typically takes 44h 10m via I 84 and I 70. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Jackson compared to Tacoma?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $87,256 in Jackson vs $493,840 in Tacoma β a 82.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Tacoma to Jackson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2525 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Jackson more expensive than Tacoma?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Jackson is 19.9% lower than Tacoma (89.048 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tacoma.
City profiles: Tacoma, WA Β· Jackson, MS.