Mississippi to Idaho Moving Guide
Updated June 15, 2025

Planning a 2,084 mile interstate move from Mississippi to Idaho? This moving guide will help you compare living in Mississippi vs Idaho across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high humidity vs dryer climate), food & health (like Catfish vs Potatoes), real estate & housing (colonial revival vs craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Idaho), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Catfish and Barbecue Ribs, but get your taste buds ready for Potatoes & Boise Bolognese
- Idaho housing costs are 153% more expensive than they are in Mississippi
- Rent in Idaho is 17.99% more expensive than in Mississippi
- Moving from Mississippi to Idaho will cost on average between $2,500 - $8,500
- Our top recommended Mississippi to Idaho movers is 208 Moving Company
Mississippi to Idaho Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Mississippi to Idaho
- High humidity
- Limited public land
- Severe storms
- High poverty rate
- Dryer climate
- Vast outdoor spaces
- Mild weather
- Lower unemployment rate
- Limited dining options
- Lesser historical sites
- Cold winters
- Less diverse population
- Southern cuisine
- Rich history
- Mild winters
- Warm community
Pros of moving from Mississippi to Idaho
- Say goodbye to high humidity and hello to a dryer climate
- Look forward to moving away from limited public land and moving to Idaho with vast outdoor spaces
- Swap the severe storms of Mississippi for mild weather in Idaho
- Get ready for a lower unemployment rate in Idaho
Cons of moving from Mississippi to Idaho
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from southern cuisine in Mississippi to live with limited dining options in Idaho
- You'll lose out on the pro of rich history and have to settle for the con of fewer historical sites
- Time to bid farewell to mild winters and get used to cold winters in Idaho
- Swap a warm community for a less diverse population
Mississippi vs. Idaho: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Mississippi | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Catfish | Potatoes |
Most popular meat dish | Barbecue Ribs | Boise Bolognese |
Most popular street food item | Po'boys | Idaho Fry Company Fries |
Most popular vegan food | Okra Gumbo | Boise Beet Burger |
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 Mississippi to Idaho, you will be trading the iconic Catfish of Mississippi for the equally delicious Potatoes of Idaho. And while the locals in Mississippi rave about their flavorful Barbecue Ribs and sumptuous Po'boys, Idaho residents know they have tasty Boise Bolognese and Idaho Fry Company Fries 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 Boise Beet Burger of Idaho. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Mississippi eateries like Mayflower Cafe, City Grocery, and Walker's Drive-In. After the boxes are unpacked in Idaho, don't wait too long before making your way to Idaho's acclaimed eateries like Boise Fry Company, Bittercreek Alehouse, and The Capital Cellar.
When comparing lifestyles, Idaho shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Mississippi. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Idaho compared to what you are used to in Mississippi. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Idaho.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Mississippi and Idaho
Comparison | Mississippi | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial Revival | Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large lots, Quiet neighborhoods | Outdoor recreation, Views |
- The Colonial Revival architecture that Mississippi is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman architecture typical of Idaho.
- Compared to Mississippi's real estate listings that commonly reference large lots and quiet neighborhoods, Idaho real estate listings often highlight features like outdoor recreation and views.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Idaho is more walkable than Mississippi.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Idaho is more bike-friendly than Mississippi.
- Idaho has more of an urban feel than Mississippi.
- Idaho housing costs are 153% more expensive than they are in Mississippi, with a median home price of $451,298 compared to Mississippiβs $178,490.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Idaho have increased 69% compared to a 31% increase in Mississippi.
- Rent in Idaho is 17.99% more expensive than in Mississippi.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Mississippi and Idaho
Comparison | Mississippi | Idaho |
---|---|---|
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 | Hurricanes, Tornadoes | Floods, Wildfires |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 91Β°F / 70Β°F | 85Β°F / 55Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 55Β°F / 34Β°F | 37Β°F / 20Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 59" | 18" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 1" | 60" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Mississippi to Idaho. Idaho gets 6% fewer sunshine days than Mississippi.
- Idaho has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Mississippi.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and tornadoes in Mississippi, but be on the lookout for potential floods and wildfires in Idaho.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Idaho is 6 degrees colder than in Mississippi.
- The average winter lows in Idaho are 14 degrees colder than they are in Mississippi.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Idaho. Idaho receives 41 fewer inches of rain compared to Mississippi.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Mississippi and Idaho
Comparison | Mississippi | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $52,719 | $72,785 |
Cost of Living Index | 92.1 | 91.5 |
State Income Tax | 5% | 6.5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.8% | 0.63% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Healthcare | Agriculture, Technology, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | Growing |
Poverty | High | Moderate |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Idaho tend to earn about 38% more than in Mississippi
- The COLI in Idaho will be 1% lower than what you are used to living in Mississippi
- The state income tax in ID is 6.5% compared to 5% in MS
- The affluence in Idaho is growing compared to moderate affluence in Mississippi
- The poverty level is moderate in Idaho compared to high poverty in Mississippi
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Mississippi and low in Idaho
Political and Religious Climate in Mississippi vs. Idaho
Comparison | Mississippi | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Traditionally Democratic, now trending Republican | Strongly Republican |
Local Politics | Mix of Democratic and Republican, depending on area | Largely Republican across most areas |
Religion | Primarily Christian, with a strong Baptist presence | Majority Christian, with a mix of denominations |
- Mississippi tends to lean traditionally Democratic and is now trending Republican in its political climate
- Idaho, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Republican
- Idaho's religious environment can be described as majority Christian with a mix of denominations
- Mississippi's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Christian with a strong Baptist presence
Education Guide When Moving from Mississippi to Idaho
Comparison | Mississippi | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Mississippi Mississippi State University University of Southern Mississippi | Boise State University University of Idaho Idaho State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Mannsdale Elementary School (Madison) Madison Station Elementary School (Madison) Oxford Elementary School (Oxford) | White Pine Elementary School (Boise) Ponderosa Elementary School (Meridian) Galileo STEM Academy (Eagle) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Madison Middle School (Madison) Oxford Middle School (Oxford) Northwest Rankin Middle School (Flowood) | North Star Charter School (Eagle) Heritage Middle School (Meridian) Lake Hazel Middle School (Boise) |
Top 3 High Schools | Oxford High School (Oxford) Madison Central High School (Madison) Lewisburg High School (Olive Branch) | Boise High School (Boise) Renaissance High School (Meridian) Coeur d'Alene High School (Coeur d'Alene) |
Top 3 private high schools | Jackson Preparatory School (Jackson) Madison-Ridgeland Academy (Madison) St. Andrew's Episcopal School (Ridgeland) | Boise High School Bishop Kelly High School (Boise) The Ambrose School (Meridian) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | St. Andrew's Episcopal School (Ridgeland) Jackson Preparatory School (Jackson) Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science (Columbus) | The Ambrose School (Meridian) Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy (Coeur d'Alene) Riverstone International School (Boise) |
Top 3 School Districts | Madison County School District Oxford School District Clinton Public School District | Boise Independent School District Blaine County School District Coeur d'Alene School District |
How Much Do Mississippi to Idaho Movers Cost?
Moving 2,084 miles from Mississippi to Idaho will typically cost between $3,500 and $8,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,500 - $8,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Valley Custom Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,384 | 300 ft3 | $7.95 |
1 Bedroom | $3,553 | 450 ft3 | $7.90 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,885 | 750 ft3 | $7.85 |
3 Bedrooms | $8,576 | 1100 ft3 | $7.80 |
4 Bedrooms | $12,394 | 1600 ft3 | $7.75 |
5+ Bedrooms | $13,854 | 1800 ft3 | $7.70 |
Top Mississippi to Idaho Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Mississippi to Idaho movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

208 Moving Company
Best moving company overall for Mississippi to Idaho