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Mississippi to Arizona Moving Guide

Updated June 15, 2025

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Planning a 1,430 mile interstate move from Mississippi to Arizona? This moving guide will help you compare living in Mississippi vs Arizona across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high humidity vs dry heat), food & health (like Catfish vs Sonoran Hot Dog), real estate & housing (colonial, victorian vs spanish colonial, pueblo revival), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Arizona), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Catfish and Pulled Pork BBQ, but get your taste buds ready for Sonoran Hot Dog & Carne Asada
  • Arizona housing costs are 141% more expensive than they are in Mississippi
  • Rent in Arizona is 39.78% more expensive than in Mississippi
  • Moving from Mississippi to Arizona will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
  • Our top recommended Mississippi to Arizona movers is Sterling Interstate LLC

Mississippi to Arizona Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Mississippi to Arizona

ConsMississippi iconMississippi
  • High humidity
  • Limited job opportunities
  • Frequent storms
ProsArizona iconArizona
  • Dry heat
  • Diverse economy
  • Sunny climate

Arizona iconArizona
  • Cultural adjustment
  • Higher living costs
  • Desert landscapes
Mississippi iconMississippi
  • Southern culture charm
  • Lower cost of living
  • Green landscapes

Pros of moving from Mississippi to Arizona

  • Say goodbye to high humidity and hello to dry heat
  • Look forward to moving away from limited job opportunities and moving to Arizona with a diverse economy
  • Swap the frequent storms of Mississippi for a sunny climate in Arizona

Cons of moving from Mississippi to Arizona

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the charm of Southern culture in Mississippi to live with cultural adjustment in Arizona
  • You'll lose out on the pro of a lower cost of living and have to settle for the con of higher living costs
  • Time to bid farewell to green landscapes and get used to desert landscapes in Arizona

Mississippi vs. Arizona: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonMississippiArizona
Most iconic local food itemCatfishSonoran Hot Dog
Most popular meat dishPulled Pork BBQCarne Asada
Most popular street food itemTamalesTacos
Most popular vegan foodOkra GumboCactus Salad
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Mayflower Cafe
  • City Grocery
  • Leatha's Bar-B-Que Inn
  • Pizzeria Bianco
  • El Charro CafΓ©
  • FnB Restaurant
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Mississippi to Arizona, you will be trading the iconic Catfish of Mississippi for the equally delicious Sonoran Hot Dog of Arizona. And while the locals in Mississippi rave about their flavorful Pulled Pork BBQ and sumptuous Tamales, Arizona residents know they have tasty Carne Asada and Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Okra Gumbo they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Cactus Salad of Arizona. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Mississippi eateries like The Mayflower Cafe, City Grocery, and Leatha's Bar-B-Que Inn. After the boxes are unpacked in Arizona, don't wait too long before making your way to Arizona's acclaimed eateries like Pizzeria Bianco, El Charro CafΓ©, and FnB Restaurant.

When comparing lifestyles, Arizona shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Mississippi. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Arizona compared to what you are used to in Mississippi. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Arizona.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Mississippi and Arizona

ComparisonMississippiArizona
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, VictorianSpanish Colonial, Pueblo Revival
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingLarge lots, quiet neighborhoodsEnergy-efficient homes, desert landscapes
  • The Colonial and Victorian architecture that Mississippi is known for will be replaced with the Spanish Colonial and Pueblo Revival architecture typical of Arizona.
  • Compared to Mississippi's real estate listings that commonly reference large lots and quiet neighborhoods, Arizona real estate listings often highlight features like energy-efficient homes and desert landscapes.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Arizona is more walkable than Mississippi.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Arizona is more bike-friendly than Mississippi.
  • Arizona has more of an urban feel than Mississippi.
  • Arizona housing costs are 141% more expensive than they are in Mississippi with a median home price of $430,827 compared to Mississippi’s $178,490.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Arizona have increased by 63% compared to a 31% increase in Mississippi.
  • Rent in Arizona is 39.78% more expensive than in Mississippi.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Mississippi and Arizona

ComparisonMississippiArizona
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersHurricanes, FloodsWildfires, Heatwaves
Air QualityGoodVaries; urban areas may have poor
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)91Β°F / 70Β°F104Β°F / 81Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)55Β°F / 34Β°F67Β°F / 46Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)59"13"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)1"0-100"+ (highly elevation dependent)
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Mississippi to Arizona. Arizona gets 36% more sunshine days than Mississippi.
  • Arizona has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Mississippi.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and floods in Mississippi, but be on the lookout for potential wildfires and heatwaves in Arizona.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Arizona is 13 degrees warmer than in Mississippi.
  • The average winter lows are 12 degrees warmer than they are in Mississippi.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Arizona. Arizona receives 46 fewer inches of rain compared to Mississippi.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Mississippi and Arizona

ComparisonMississippiArizona
Avg. Household Income$52,719$74,568
Cost of Living Index92.1101.2
State Income Tax5%2.59%-4.50%
Avg. Property Tax0.79%0.72%
Avg. Sales Tax7.07%8.40%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Manufacturing, HealthcareTourism, Technology, Healthcare
AffluenceVariedModerate
PovertyHigherModerate
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Arizona tend to earn about 41% more than in Mississippi
  • The COLI in Arizona will be 10% higher than what you are used to living in Mississippi
  • The state income tax in AZ is 2.59%–4.50% compared to 5% in MS
  • The affluence in Arizona is moderate compared to varied affluence in Mississippi
  • The poverty level is moderate in Arizona compared to higher poverty levels in Mississippi
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Mississippi and moderate in Arizona

Political and Religious Climate in Mississippi vs. Arizona

ComparisonMississippiArizona
Political Make-upTraditionally leans RepublicanSwing state, recently leaning Democrat
Local PoliticsConservative dominanceMixed, with both conservative and liberal areas
ReligionHighly religious, predominantly ChristianDiverse religious landscape, less religious overall
  • Mississippi tends to lean traditionally Republican in its political climate
  • Arizona, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state, recently leaning Democrat
  • Arizona's religious environment can be described as a diverse religious landscape, less religious overall
  • Mississippi's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as highly religious and predominantly Christian

Education Guide When Moving from Mississippi to Arizona

ComparisonMississippiArizona
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Mississippi
Mississippi State University
University of Southern Mississippi
Arizona State University
University of Arizona
Northern Arizona University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsMannsdale Upper Elementary (Madison)
Northshore Elementary (Brandon)
Madison Station Elementary (Madison)
Basis Scottsdale Primary - West Campus (Scottsdale)
Knox Gifted Academy (Chandler)
Chandler Traditional Academy - Freedom (Gilbert)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsMadison Middle School (Madison)
Northwest Rankin Middle School (Flowood)
Lewisburg Middle School (Olive Branch)
Basis Chandler (Chandler)
Basis Peoria (Peoria)
Basis Oro Valley (Oro Valley)
Top 3 High School SchoolsMississippi School for Mathematics and Science (Columbus)
Lewisburg High School (Olive Branch)
Ocean Springs High School (Ocean Springs)
Basis Scottsdale (Scottsdale)
Basis Oro Valley (Oro Valley)
University High School (Tucson)
Top 3 private high schoolsJackson Preparatory School (Jackson)
Madison-Ridgeland Academy (Madison)
St. Andrew's Episcopal School (Ridgeland)
Brophy College Preparatory (Phoenix)
Xavier College Preparatory (Phoenix)
The Gregory School (Tucson)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsSt. Andrew's Episcopal School (Ridgeland)
Jackson Academy (Jackson)
Madison-Ridgeland Academy (Madison)
The Gregory School (Tucson)
Rancho Solano Preparatory School (Scottsdale)
Phoenix Country Day School (Paradise Valley)
Top 3 School DistrictsMadison County School District
Clinton Public School District
Ocean Springs School District
Scottsdale Unified School District
Catalina Foothills School District
Chandler Unified School District

How Much Do Mississippi to Arizona Movers Cost?

Moving 1,430 miles from Mississippi to Arizona will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 3-9 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Sterling Interstate LLC
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,013300 ft3$6.71
1 Bedroom$2,997450 ft3$6.66
2 Bedrooms$4,958750 ft3$6.61
3 Bedrooms$7,2171100 ft3$6.56
4 Bedrooms$10,4171600 ft3$6.51
5+ Bedrooms$11,6291800 ft3$6.46

Top Mississippi to Arizona Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Mississippi to Arizona movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
Sterling Interstate LLC featured image

Sterling Interstate LLC

Best moving company overall for Mississippi to Arizona

9.76/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
New Beginnings Moving Solutions featured image

New Beginnings Moving Solutions

9.32/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
MoveMint - Pack & Move

MoveMint - Pack & Move

8.59/10
FabulousView details