Kentucky to Mississippi Moving Guide
Updated June 4, 2025

Planning a 594 mile interstate move from Kentucky to Mississippi? This moving guide will help you compare living in Kentucky vs Mississippi across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsher winters vs milder climate), food & health (like Fried Chicken vs Catfish), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs ranch, antebellum), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Kentucky), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Fried Chicken and Burgoo, but get your taste buds ready for Catfish & BBQ Ribs
- Mississippi housing costs are 11% less expensive than they are in Kentucky
- Rent in Mississippi is 4.57% more expensive than in Kentucky
- Moving from Kentucky to Mississippi will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
- Our top recommended Kentucky to Mississippi movers is From Here to There
Kentucky to Mississippi Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Kentucky to Mississippi
- Harsher winters
- Higher cost of living
- Fewer job opportunities
- Limited beaches
- High tax rates
- Milder climate
- More affordable housing
- Growing job market
- Coastal access
- Lower tax burden
- Fewer forests
- Less equestrian focus
- Fewer historical sites
- Limited local spirits
- No ski facilities
- Beautiful landscapes
- Vibrant horse culture
- Rich history
- Diverse bourbon selection
- Ski resorts nearby
Pros of moving from Kentucky to Mississippi
- Say goodbye to harsher winters and hello to a milder climate
- Look forward to moving away from a higher cost of living and moving to Mississippi with more affordable housing
- Swap the fewer job opportunities of Kentucky for a growing job market in Mississippi
- Get ready for coastal access in Mississippi
Cons of moving from Kentucky to Mississippi
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from beautiful landscapes in Kentucky to live with fewer forests in Mississippi
- You'll lose out on the pro of vibrant horse culture and have to settle for the con of less equestrian focus
- Time to bid farewell to rich history and get used to fewer historical sites in Mississippi
- Swap a diverse bourbon selection for limited local spirits
Kentucky vs. Mississippi: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Kentucky | Mississippi |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Fried Chicken | Catfish |
Most popular meat dish | Burgoo | BBQ Ribs |
Most popular street food item | Hot Brown Sandwich | Tamales |
Most popular vegan food | Vegetarian Chili | Okra Gumbo |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
If you're moving from Kentucky to Mississippi, you will be trading the iconic Fried Chicken of Kentucky for the equally delicious Catfish of Mississippi. And while the locals in Kentucky rave about their flavorful Burgoo and sumptuous Hot Brown Sandwich, Mississippi residents know they have tasty BBQ Ribs and Tamales to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegetarian Chili they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Okra Gumbo of Mississippi. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Kentucky eateries like The Brown Hotel, Wallace Station, and Makerβs Mark Distillery. After the boxes are unpacked in Mississippi, don't wait too long before making your way to Mississippi's acclaimed eateries like The Mayflower Cafe, Walnut Hills Restaurant, and The Ground Zero Blues Club.
When comparing lifestyles, Mississippi shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Kentucky. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Mississippi compared to what you are used to in Kentucky. Also, the overall foodie scene is similarly bustling in Mississippi.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Kentucky and Mississippi
Comparison | Kentucky | Mississippi |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Cape Cod | Ranch, Antebellum |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Garage, Big Yard | Big Yard, Porch |
- The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Kentucky is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Antebellum architecture typical of Mississippi.
- Compared to Kentucky's real estate listings that commonly reference garages and big yards, Mississippi real estate listings often highlight features like big yards and porches.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Mississippi is less walkable than Kentucky.
- Mississippi is similarly bike-friendly to Kentucky.
- Mississippi has less of an urban feel than Kentucky.
- Mississippi housing costs are 11% less expensive than they are in Kentucky, with a median home price of $178,490 compared to Kentuckyβs $201,332.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Mississippi have increased by 31% compared to a 47% increase in Kentucky.
- Rent in Mississippi is 4.57% more expensive than in Kentucky.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Kentucky and Mississippi
Comparison | Kentucky | Mississippi |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Tornadoes, Floods | Hurricanes, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 87Β°F / 67Β°F | 91Β°F / 72Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 44Β°F / 28Β°F | 57Β°F / 37Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 48" | 59" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 22" | 1" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Kentucky to Mississippi. Mississippi gets 12% more sunshine days than Kentucky.
- Mississippi has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Kentucky.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Kentucky, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and tornadoes in Mississippi.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Mississippi is 4 degrees warmer than in Kentucky.
- The average winter lows are 9 degrees warmer than they are in Kentucky.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Mississippi. Mississippi receives 11 more inches of rain compared to Kentucky.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Kentucky and Mississippi
Comparison | Kentucky | Mississippi |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,341 | $52,719 |
Cost of Living Index | 87.8 | 92.1 |
State Income Tax | 5% | Up to 5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.83% | 0.81% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 7% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Retail | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Retail |
Affluence | Moderate | Modest |
Poverty | Significant | High |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Mississippi tend to earn about 11% less than in Kentucky
- The COLI in Mississippi will be 5% higher than what you are used to living in Kentucky
- The state income tax in MS is up to 5% compared to 5% in KY
- The affluence in Mississippi is modest compared to moderate affluence in Kentucky
- The poverty level is high in Mississippi compared to a significant level in Kentucky
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Kentucky and moderate in Mississippi
Political and Religious Climate in Kentucky vs. Mississippi
Comparison | Kentucky | Mississippi |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Moderately conservative, with a mix of Democratic and Republican support | Conservatively leaning, with stronger Republican support |
Local Politics | Local governance can vary significantly, with urban areas tending towards more progressive policies | Local politics often align with state-level conservatism, though there are pockets of progressive thought |
Religion | Christianity is predominant, with a significant Baptist presence. Other denominations and religions also present. | Highly religious state with a strong Baptist influence, alongside Methodist and other Christian denominations. |
- Kentucky tends to lean moderately conservative with a mix of Democratic and Republican support in its political climate
- Mississippi, on the other hand, is often described as conservatively leaning with stronger Republican support
- Mississippi's religious environment can be described as a highly religious state with a strong Baptist influence alongside Methodist and other Christian denominations
- Kentucky's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity being predominant with a significant Baptist presence, along with other denominations and religions also present
Education Guide When Moving from Kentucky to Mississippi
Comparison | Kentucky | Mississippi |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Kentucky University of Louisville Western Kentucky University | University of Mississippi Mississippi State University University of Southern Mississippi |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Greathouse/Shryock Traditional Louisville; Rosa Parks Elementary Lexington; Ashland Elementary Lexington | Madison Station Elementary Madison; Eastside Elementary Clinton; Oak Park Elementary Ocean Springs |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Barret Traditional Middle Louisville; Highlands Latin School Louisville; Beaumont Middle Lexington | Northwest Rankin Middle Flowood; Olde Towne Middle Ridgeland; Madison Middle Madison |
Top 3 High Schools | DuPont Manual High Louisville; Highlands Latin School Louisville; Lexington Catholic High Lexington | Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science Columbus; Ocean Springs High Ocean Springs; Lewisburg High Olive Branch |
Top 3 private high schools | Sacred Heart Academy Louisville; Lexington Christian Academy Lexington; Trinity High School Louisville | St. Andrew's Episcopal School Ridgeland; Jackson Preparatory School Flowood; Madison-Ridgeland Academy Madison |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Sayre School Lexington; Christian Academy of Louisville Louisville; The Lexington School Lexington | Jackson Academy Jackson; Presbyterian Christian School Hattiesburg; Heritage Academy Columbus |
Top 3 School Districts | Oldham County Schools Fort Thomas Independent Schools Fayette County Public Schools | Madison County Schools Clinton Public School District Oxford School District |
How Much Do Kentucky to Mississippi Movers Cost?
Moving 594 miles from Kentucky to Mississippi will typically cost between $2,500 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $5,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Smooth Move Relocation Services
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,539 | 300 ft3 | $5.13 |
1 Bedroom | $2,286 | 450 ft3 | $5.08 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,773 | 750 ft3 | $5.03 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,479 | 1100 ft3 | $4.98 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,889 | 1600 ft3 | $4.93 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,785 | 1800 ft3 | $4.88 |
Top Kentucky to Mississippi Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Kentucky to Mississippi movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

From Here to There
Best moving company overall for Kentucky to Mississippi