Mississippi to North Carolina Moving Guide
Updated June 5, 2025

Planning a 715 mile interstate move from Mississippi to North Carolina? This moving guide will help you compare living in Mississippi vs North Carolina across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high humidity vs milder climate), food & health (like Catfish vs Pulled pork BBQ), real estate & housing (antebellum and cottage vs craftsman and colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in North Carolina), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Catfish and Fried chicken, but get your taste buds ready for Pulled pork BBQ & Eastern Carolina barbecue
- North Carolina housing costs are 84% more expensive than they are in Mississippi
- Rent in North Carolina is 26.52% more expensive than in Mississippi
- Moving from Mississippi to North Carolina will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
- Our top recommended Mississippi to North Carolina movers is Just Move It, LLC
Mississippi to North Carolina Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Mississippi to North Carolina
- High humidity
- Limited job market
- Fewer cultural events
- Limited public transport
- Milder climate
- Diverse industries
- Rich cultural scene
- Better transit options
- Higher cost of living
- Tougher housing market
- Busier urban centers
- More anonymity
- Southern hospitality
- Low living costs
- Quiet rural life
- Close-knit communities
Pros of moving from Mississippi to North Carolina
- Say goodbye to high humidity and hello to a milder climate
- Look forward to moving away from a limited job market and moving to North Carolina with diverse industries
- Swap the fewer cultural events of Mississippi for a rich cultural scene in North Carolina
- Get ready for better transit options in North Carolina
Cons of moving from Mississippi to North Carolina
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from southern hospitality in Mississippi to live with a higher cost of living in North Carolina
- You'll lose out on the pro of low living costs and have to settle for the con of a tougher housing market
- Time to bid farewell to a quiet rural life and get used to busier urban centers in North Carolina
- Swap close-knit communities for more anonymity
Mississippi vs. North Carolina: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Mississippi | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Catfish | Pulled pork BBQ |
Most popular meat dish | Fried chicken | Eastern Carolina barbecue |
Most popular street food item | Po'boy | Smoked Turkey Legs |
Most popular vegan food | Okra gumbo | BBQ Jackfruit |
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 North Carolina, you will be trading the iconic Catfish of Mississippi for the equally delicious Pulled Pork BBQ of North Carolina. And while the locals in Mississippi rave about their flavorful Fried Chicken and sumptuous Po'boy, North Carolina residents know they have tasty Eastern Carolina barbecue and Smoked Turkey Legs 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 BBQ Jackfruit of North Carolina. 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 Snackbar. After the boxes are unpacked in North Carolina, don't wait too long before making your way to North Carolina's acclaimed eateries like The Pit, Lexington Barbecue, and CΓΊrate.
When comparing lifestyles, North Carolina shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Mississippi. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in North Carolina compared to what you are used to in Mississippi. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in North Carolina.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Mississippi and North Carolina
Comparison | Mississippi | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Antebellum and Cottage | Craftsman and Colonial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, quiet neighborhoods | Eco-friendly features, proximity to amenities |
- The Antebellum and Cottage architecture that Mississippi is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Colonial architecture typical of North Carolina.
- Compared to Mississippi's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and quiet neighborhoods, North Carolina real estate listings often highlight features like eco-friendly options and proximity to amenities.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. North Carolina is more walkable than Mississippi.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. North Carolina is more bike-friendly than Mississippi.
- North Carolina has more of an urban feel than Mississippi.
- North Carolina housing costs are 84% more expensive than they are in Mississippi, with a median home price of $329,225 compared to Mississippiβs $178,490.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in North Carolina have increased by 63% compared to a 31% increase in Mississippi.
- Rent in North Carolina is 26.52% more expensive than in Mississippi.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Mississippi and North Carolina
Comparison | Mississippi | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
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 | Hurricanes, Ice storms |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 91Β°F / 71Β°F | 88Β°F / 67Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 57Β°F / 38Β°F | 50Β°F / 30Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 59" | 50" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 1" | 6" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Mississippi to North Carolina. North Carolina gets 2% fewer sunshine days than Mississippi.
- North Carolina 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 hurricanes and ice storms in North Carolina.
- The average summer high temperature in North Carolina is 3 degrees colder than in Mississippi.
- The average winter lows in North Carolina are 8 degrees colder than they are in Mississippi.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in North Carolina. North Carolina receives 9 fewer inches of rain compared to Mississippi.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Mississippi and North Carolina
Comparison | Mississippi | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $52,719 | $67,481 |
Cost of Living Index | 92.1 | 95.85 |
State Income Tax | 5% | 5.25% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.80% | 0.85% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7% | 6.75% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Energy | Technology, Finance, Agriculture |
Affluence | Modest | Moderate |
Poverty | High | Moderate |
Homelessness | Manageable | Increasing |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in North Carolina tend to earn about 28% more than those in Mississippi
- The COLI in North Carolina will be 4% higher than what you are used to living in Mississippi
- The state income tax in NC is 5.25% compared to 5% in MS
- The affluence in North Carolina is moderate compared to modest in Mississippi
- The poverty level is moderate in North Carolina compared to high in Mississippi
- In terms of homelessness, it is manageable in Mississippi and increasing in North Carolina
Political and Religious Climate in Mississippi vs. North Carolina
Comparison | Mississippi | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative, tends Republican | Mixed, swings between Democrat and Republican |
Local Politics | Strong emphasis on local governance | Diverse viewpoints with active local governance |
Religion | Highly religious, predominantly Christian | Moderately religious, diverse religious practices |
- Mississippi tends to lean conservative and tends Republican in its political climate
- North Carolina, on the other hand, is often described as mixed, swinging between Democrat and Republican
- North Carolina's religious environment can be described as moderately religious with diverse religious practices
- Mississippi's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as highly religious and predominantly Christian
Education Guide When Moving from Mississippi to North Carolina
Comparison | Mississippi | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Mississippi Mississippi State University University of Southern Mississippi | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill North Carolina State University Duke University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Mannsdale Elementary School - Madison Madison Station Elementary School - Madison Eastside Elementary School - Clinton | Davis Drive Elementary School - Cary Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy - Charlotte Fred A. Olds Elementary School - Raleigh |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Madison Middle School - Madison Clinton Junior High School - Clinton Northwest Rankin Middle School - Flowood | Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy - Charlotte Smith Middle School - Chapel Hill Jayne W. Carmichael School - Southern Pines |
Top 3 High Schools | Oxford High School - Oxford Madison Central High School - Madison Clinton High School - Clinton | North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics - Durham Early College at Guilford - Greensboro Raleigh Charter High School - Raleigh |
Top 3 private high schools | Jackson Preparatory School - Jackson Madison-Ridgeland Academy - Madison Parkway Christian Academy - Jackson | Charlotte Latin School - Charlotte Ravenscroft School - Raleigh Providence Day School - Charlotte |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | St. Andrew's Episcopal School - Ridgeland Presbyterian Christian School - Hattiesburg French Camp Academy - French Camp | Charlotte Country Day School - Charlotte Cary Academy - Cary Durham Academy - Durham |
Top 3 School Districts | Madison County School District Clinton Public School District Rankin County School District | Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Wake County Public School System Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools |
How Much Do Mississippi to North Carolina Movers Cost?
Moving 715 miles from Mississippi to North Carolina 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: 2-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Raleigh Moving Company
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,608 | 300 ft3 | $5.36 |
1 Bedroom | $2,389 | 450 ft3 | $5.31 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,945 | 750 ft3 | $5.26 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,730 | 1100 ft3 | $5.21 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,255 | 1600 ft3 | $5.16 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,197 | 1800 ft3 | $5.11 |
Top Mississippi to North Carolina Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Mississippi to North Carolina movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Just Move It, LLC
Best moving company overall for Mississippi to North Carolina