Movers

Mississippi to Montana Moving Guide

Updated June 9, 2025

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Planning a 1,906 mile interstate move from Mississippi to Montana? This moving guide will help you compare living in Mississippi vs Montana across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hot, humid summers vs cooler, temperate summers), food & health (like Catfish vs Bison), real estate & housing (colonial, victorian vs rustic, cabin-style), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Montana), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Catfish and Pulled Pork BBQ, but get your taste buds ready for Bison & Elk Steak
  • Montana housing costs are 156% more expensive than they are in Mississippi
  • Rent in Montana is 2.94% more expensive than in Mississippi
  • Moving from Mississippi to Montana will cost on average between $2,500 - $8,000
  • Our top recommended Mississippi to Montana movers is Moving On Up

Mississippi to Montana Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Mississippi to Montana

ConsMississippi iconMississippi
  • Hot, humid summers
  • Hurricane risk
  • Less outdoor recreation
  • Limited scenic landscapes
  • Fewer wildlife encounters
ProsMontana iconMontana
  • Cooler, temperate summers
  • Minimal natural disasters
  • Abundant outdoor adventures
  • Stunning mountain ranges
  • Rich wildlife diversity

Montana iconMontana
  • Harsh winters
  • Limited food variety
  • Less diverse communities
  • Higher living expenses
  • Remote living areas
Mississippi iconMississippi
  • Mild winter temperatures
  • Southern cuisine
  • Friendly local culture
  • Lower overall costs
  • Charming small towns

Pros of moving from Mississippi to Montana

  • Say goodbye to hot, humid summers and hello to cooler, temperate summers
  • Look forward to moving away from hurricane risk and moving to Montana with minimal natural disasters
  • Swap the lesser outdoor recreation of Mississippi for abundant outdoor adventures in Montana
  • Get ready for stunning mountain ranges in Montana

Cons of moving from Mississippi to Montana

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from mild winter temperatures in Mississippi to live with harsh winters in Montana
  • You'll lose out on the pro of southern cuisine and have to settle for the con of limited food variety
  • Time to bid farewell to friendly local culture and get used to less diverse communities in Montana
  • Swap lower overall costs for higher living expenses

Mississippi vs. Montana: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonMississippiMontana
Most iconic local food itemCatfishBison
Most popular meat dishPulled Pork BBQElk Steak
Most popular street food itemTamalesWild Game Burgers
Most popular vegan foodOkra StewLentil Chili
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Doe’s Eat Place
  • City Grocery
  • Weidmann's
  • The White Buffalo CafΓ©
  • 2K's cafe
  • Montana Ale Works
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10)πŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10)🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene (out of 10)🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly (out of 10)🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Mississippi to Montana, you will be trading the iconic Catfish of Mississippi for the equally delicious Bison of Montana. And while the locals in Mississippi rave about their flavorful Pulled Pork BBQ and sumptuous Tamales, Montana residents know they have tasty Elk Steak and Wild Game Burgers to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Okra Stew they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Lentil Chili of Montana. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Mississippi eateries like The Doe’s Eat Place, City Grocery, and Weidmann's. After the boxes are unpacked in Montana, don't wait too long before making your way to Montana's acclaimed eateries like The White Buffalo CafΓ©, 2K's CafΓ©, and Montana Ale Works.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Mississippi and Montana

ComparisonMississippiMontana
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, VictorianRustic, Cabin-style
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 yards, proximity to amenitiesMountain views, outdoor access
  • The Colonial and Victorian architecture that Mississippi is known for will be replaced with the Rustic and Cabin-style architecture typical of Montana.
  • Compared to Mississippi's real estate listings which commonly reference large yards and proximity to amenities, Montana real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and outdoor access.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Montana is more walkable than Mississippi.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Montana is more bike-friendly than Mississippi.
  • Montana has more of an urban feel than Mississippi.
  • Montana housing costs are 156% more expensive than they are in Mississippi, with a median home price of $456,199 compared to Mississippi’s $178,490.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Montana have increased by 71% compared to a 31% increase in Mississippi.
  • Rent in Montana is 2.94% more expensive than in Mississippi.

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

ComparisonMississippiMontana
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, Earthquakes
Air QualityGoodVery Good
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)91Β°F / 70Β°F85Β°F / 50Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)55Β°F / 34Β°F34Β°F / 17Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)59"15"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)1"90"
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Mississippi to Montana. Montana gets 6% fewer sunshine days than Mississippi.
  • Montana has lower humidity and a lower 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 earthquakes in Montana.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Montana is 6 degrees colder than in Mississippi.
  • The average winter lows are 17 degrees colder than they are in Mississippi.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Montana. Montana receives 44 fewer inches of rain compared to Mississippi.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Mississippi and Montana

ComparisonMississippiMontana
Avg. Household Income$52,719$67,631
Cost of Living Index92.199.4
State Income Tax5.0%6.9%
Avg. Property Tax0.81%0.83%
Avg. Sales Tax7.07%0%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Manufacturing, Health ServicesTourism, Agriculture, Energy
AffluenceModestAverage
PovertyHighModerate
HomelessnessLowLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Montana tend to earn about 28% more than in Mississippi
  • The COLI in Montana will be 8% higher than what you are used to living in Mississippi
  • The state income tax in MT is 6.9% compared to 5.0% in MS
  • The affluence in Montana is average compared to modest in Mississippi
  • The poverty level is moderate in Montana compared to high in Mississippi
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Mississippi and low in Montana

Political and Religious Climate in Mississippi vs. Montana

ComparisonMississippiMontana
Political Make-upTraditionally leans RepublicanGenerally Republican, with some Democratic strongholds
Local PoliticsConservative on most issuesMix of conservative and liberal views depending on the area
ReligionHighly religious, predominantly ProtestantLess religious overall, with a mix of religious beliefs
  • Mississippi tends to lean traditionally Republican in its political climate
  • Montana, on the other hand, is often described as generally Republican with some Democratic strongholds
  • Montana's religious environment can be described as less religious overall with a mix of religious beliefs
  • Mississippi's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as highly religious and predominantly Protestant

Education Guide When Moving from Mississippi to Montana

ComparisonMississippiMontana
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Mississippi
Mississippi State University
University of Southern Mississippi
University of Montana
Montana State University
Carroll College
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsMadison Station Elementary (Madison)
Ocean Springs Upper Elementary (Ocean Springs)
Petal Elementary School (Petal)
Hawthorne Elementary School (Bozeman)
Chief Joseph Elementary School (Great Falls)
Cold Springs Elementary School (Missoula)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsMadison Middle School (Madison)
Ocean Springs Middle School (Ocean Springs)
Petal Middle School (Petal)
Bozeman Middle School (Bozeman)
C.R. Anderson Middle School (Helena)
Sacajawea Middle School (Bozeman)
Top 3 High School SchoolsMadison Central High School (Madison)
Ocean Springs High School (Ocean Springs)
Petal High School (Petal)
Bozeman High School (Bozeman)
Hellgate High School (Missoula)
Sentinel High School (Missoula)
Top 3 private high schoolsJackson Preparatory School (Jackson)
St. Andrew's Episcopal School (Ridgeland)
Madison-Ridgeland Academy (Madison)
Missoula International School (Missoula)
Billings Central Catholic High School (Billings)
Valley Christian School (Missoula)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsFrench Camp Academy (French Camp)
Piney Woods Country Life School (Piney Woods)
St. Joseph Catholic School (Madison)
Petra Academy (Bozeman)
Heritage Christian School (Bozeman)
Missoula International School (Missoula)
Top 3 School DistrictsMadison County School District
Petal School District
Ocean Springs School District
Bozeman Public Schools
Billings Public Schools
Missoula County Public Schools

How Much Do Mississippi to Montana Movers Cost?

Moving 1,906 miles from Mississippi to Montana will typically cost between $3,500 and $8,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $3,500 - $8,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Two Men and a Truck
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,283300 ft3$7.61
1 Bedroom$3,402450 ft3$7.56
2 Bedrooms$5,633750 ft3$7.51
3 Bedrooms$8,2061100 ft3$7.46
4 Bedrooms$11,8561600 ft3$7.41
5+ Bedrooms$13,2481800 ft3$7.36

Top Mississippi to Montana Movers

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

TOP PICK
Moving On Up

Moving On Up

Best moving company overall for Mississippi to Montana

8.79/10
RUNNER-UP
MoveMint - Pack & Move

MoveMint - Pack & Move

8.59/10
FabulousView details
ALSO GREAT
On The Move LLC featured image

On The Move LLC

8.53/10
FabulousView details
Top Mississippi to Montana Routes

Jackson to Montana