Mississippi to Pennsylvania Moving Guide
Updated June 15, 2025

Planning a 1,073 mile interstate move from Mississippi to Pennsylvania? This moving guide will help you compare living in Mississippi vs Pennsylvania across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high summer humidity vs milder summer weather), food & health (like Catfish vs Philly Cheesesteak), real estate & housing (antebellum, ranch vs colonial, victorian), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Pennsylvania), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Catfish and Barbecue Ribs, but get your taste buds ready for Philly Cheesesteak & Pork and Sauerkraut
- Pennsylvania housing costs are 46% more expensive than they are in Mississippi
- Rent in Pennsylvania is 8.39% more expensive than in Mississippi
- Moving from Mississippi to Pennsylvania will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Mississippi to Pennsylvania movers is Pittsburgh Moving
Mississippi to Pennsylvania Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Mississippi to Pennsylvania
- High summer humidity
- Limited public transport
- Fewer cultural events
- Flat landscapes
- Lower education rankings
- Milder summer weather
- Extensive public transit
- Rich cultural scene
- Scenic hills and valleys
- Higher education quality
- Higher cost of living
- Busy urban areas
- Faster-paced lifestyle
- Heavier city traffic
- Colder winters
- Lower housing costs
- Close-knit communities
- Simple lifestyle
- Less traffic congestion
- Warmer winters
Pros of moving from Mississippi to Pennsylvania
- Say goodbye to high summer humidity and hello to milder summer weather
- Look forward to moving away from limited public transport and moving to Pennsylvania with extensive public transit
- Swap the fewer cultural events of Mississippi for a rich cultural scene in Pennsylvania
- Get ready for scenic hills and valleys in Pennsylvania
Cons of moving from Mississippi to Pennsylvania
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from lower housing costs in Mississippi to live with a higher cost of living in Pennsylvania
- You'll lose out on the pro of close-knit communities and have to settle for the con of busy urban areas
- Time to bid farewell to a simple lifestyle and get used to a faster-paced lifestyle in Pennsylvania
- Swap less traffic congestion for heavier city traffic
Mississippi vs. Pennsylvania: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Mississippi | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Catfish | Philly Cheesesteak |
Most popular meat dish | Barbecue Ribs | Pork and Sauerkraut |
Most popular street food item | Tamales | Pretzels |
Most popular vegan food | Okra Gumbo | Mushroom Soup |
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 Pennsylvania, you will be trading the iconic Catfish of Mississippi for the equally delicious Philly Cheesesteak of Pennsylvania. And while the locals in Mississippi rave about their flavorful Barbecue Ribs and sumptuous Tamales, Pennsylvania residents know they have tasty Pork and Sauerkraut and Pretzels 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 Mushroom Soup of Pennsylvania. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Mississippi eateries like The Mayflower CafΓ©, Doe's Eat Place, and City Grocery. After the boxes are unpacked in Pennsylvania, don't wait too long before making your way to Pennsylvania's acclaimed eateries like Geno's Steaks, DiNic's Roast Pork and Beef, and Zahav.
When comparing lifestyles, Pennsylvania shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Mississippi. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Pennsylvania compared to what you are used to in Mississippi. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Pennsylvania.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Mississippi and Pennsylvania
Comparison | Mississippi | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Antebellum, Ranch | Colonial, Victorian |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, Quiet streets | Access to public transportation, Historic details |
- The Antebellum and Ranch architecture that Mississippi is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Victorian architecture typical of Pennsylvania.
- Compared to Mississippi's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and quiet streets, Pennsylvania real estate listings often highlight features like access to public transportation and historic details.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Pennsylvania is more walkable than Mississippi.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Pennsylvania is more bike-friendly than Mississippi.
- Pennsylvania has more of an urban feel than Mississippi.
- Pennsylvania housing costs are 46% more expensive than they are in Mississippi, with a median home price of $261,312 compared to Mississippiβs $178,490.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Pennsylvania have increased by 43% compared to a 31% increase in Mississippi.
- Rent in Pennsylvania is 8.39% more expensive than in Mississippi.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Mississippi and Pennsylvania
Comparison | Mississippi | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
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 | Snowstorms, Flooding |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 91/70 | 85/62 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 55/35 | 40/20 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 59 | 42 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 1 | 38 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Mississippi to Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania gets 15% fewer sunshine days than Mississippi.
- Pennsylvania 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 snowstorms and flooding in Pennsylvania.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Pennsylvania is 6 degrees colder than in Mississippi.
- The average winter lows are 15 degrees colder than they are in Mississippi.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania receives 17 fewer inches of rain compared to Mississippi.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Mississippi and Pennsylvania
Comparison | Mississippi | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $52,719 | $71,798 |
Cost of Living Index | 92.1 | 99.7 |
State Income Tax | 5% | 3.07% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.8% | 1.5% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Energy | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Education |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | High | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Pennsylvania tend to earn about 36% more than in Mississippi
- The COLI in Pennsylvania is 8% higher than what you are used to living in Mississippi
- The state income tax in PA is 3.07% compared to 5% in MS
- The affluence in Pennsylvania is high compared to moderate affluence in Mississippi
- The poverty level is moderate in Pennsylvania compared to high in Mississippi
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Mississippi and moderate in Pennsylvania
Political and Religious Climate in Mississippi vs. Pennsylvania
Comparison | Mississippi | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative | Moderately liberal |
Local Politics | Republican dominance | Democratic in urban areas, Republican in rural |
Religion | Highly religious, predominantly Christian | Diverse, with a mix of Christian denominations |
- Mississippi tends to lean conservative in its political climate
- Pennsylvania, on the other hand, is often described as moderately liberal
- Pennsylvania's religious environment can be described as diverse with a mix of Christian denominations
- Mississippi's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as highly religious and predominantly Christian
Education Guide When Moving from Mississippi to Pennsylvania
Comparison | Mississippi | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Mississippi Mississippi State University University of Southern Mississippi | University of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania State University Carnegie Mellon University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Mannsdale Elementary School (Madison) Madison Station Elementary School (Madison) Gulfport School District (Gulfport) | Adlai E. Stevenson Elementary School (Pittsburgh) Penn Valley School (Narberth) Concord Elementary School (Glen Mills) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Madison Middle School (Madison) Oak Grove Middle School (Hattiesburg) Clinton Junior High School (Clinton) | Welsh Valley Middle School (Narberth) Radnor Middle School (Radnor) Dorseyville Middle School (Pittsburgh) |
Top 3 High Schools | Madison Central High School (Madison) Ocean Springs High School (Ocean Springs) Clinton High School (Clinton) | Julia R. Masterman Secondary School (Philadelphia) Conestoga High School (Berwyn) Central High School (Philadelphia) |
Top 3 private high schools | Jackson Preparatory School (Jackson) Madison-Ridgeland Academy (Madison) Presbyterian Christian School (Hattiesburg) | The Baldwin School (Bryn Mawr) The Haverford School (Haverford) Shady Side Academy (Pittsburgh) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | St. Andrew's Episcopal School (Ridgeland) Jackson Academy (Jackson) French Camp Academy (French Camp) | The Kiski School (Saltsburg) Germantown Friends School (Philadelphia) Friends' Central School (Wynnewood) |
Top 3 School Districts | Madison County Schools Clinton Public School District Petal School District | Tredyffrin-Easttown School District Radnor Township School District Lower Merion School District |
How Much Do Mississippi to Pennsylvania Movers Cost?
Moving 1,073 miles from Mississippi to Pennsylvania will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 1-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: U-Relax Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,811 | 300 ft3 | $6.04 |
1 Bedroom | $2,694 | 450 ft3 | $5.99 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,452 | 750 ft3 | $5.94 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,475 | 1100 ft3 | $5.89 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,338 | 1600 ft3 | $5.84 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,415 | 1800 ft3 | $5.79 |
Top Mississippi to Pennsylvania Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Mississippi to Pennsylvania movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Pittsburgh Moving
Best moving company overall for Mississippi to Pennsylvania