New Jersey to Mississippi Moving Guide
Updated June 23, 2025

Planning a 1,121 mile interstate move from New Jersey to Mississippi? This moving guide will help you compare living in New Jersey vs Mississippi across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs affordable housing), food & health (like Pork Roll vs Catfish), real estate & housing (colonial, victorian vs antebellum, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in New Jersey), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Pork Roll and Taylor Ham, Egg, and Cheese, but get your taste buds ready for Catfish & Fried Chicken
- Mississippi housing costs are 65% less expensive than those in New Jersey
- Rent in Mississippi is 44.16% more affordable than in New Jersey
- Moving from New Jersey to Mississippi will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended New Jersey to Mississippi movers is Big G Movers, INC
New Jersey to Mississippi Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from New Jersey to Mississippi
- High cost of living
- Heavy traffic
- Harsh winters
- High taxes
- Affordable housing
- Less congestion
- Milder winters
- Lower taxes
- Limited diversity
- Limited public transit
- Fewer higher education options
- Fewer high-paying jobs
- Cultural diversity
- Public transport
- Renowned universities
- Plenty of job opportunities
Pros of moving from New Jersey to Mississippi
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to affordable housing
- Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic and moving to Mississippi with less congestion
- Swap the harsh winters of New Jersey for milder winters in Mississippi
- Get ready for lower taxes in Mississippi
Cons of moving from New Jersey to Mississippi
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from cultural diversity in New Jersey to live with limited diversity in Mississippi
- You'll lose out on the pro of public transport and have to settle for the con of limited public transit
- Time to bid farewell to renowned universities and get used to fewer higher education options in Mississippi
- Swap plenty of job opportunities for fewer high-paying jobs
New Jersey vs. Mississippi: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | New Jersey | Mississippi |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pork Roll | Catfish |
Most popular meat dish | Taylor Ham, Egg, and Cheese | Fried Chicken |
Most popular street food item | Italian Hot Dogs | Tamales |
Most popular vegan food | Vegetable Samosas | Black-eyed Pea Hummus |
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 New Jersey to Mississippi, you will be trading the iconic Pork Roll of New Jersey for the equally delicious Catfish of Mississippi. And while the locals in New Jersey rave about their flavorful Taylor Ham, Egg, and Cheese and sumptuous Italian Hot Dogs, Mississippi residents know they have tasty Fried Chicken and Tamales to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegetable Samosas they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Black-eyed Pea Hummus of Mississippi. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic New Jersey eateries like Carlo's Bakery, Don's Jersey Pub, and Stage Left Steak. After the boxes are unpacked in Mississippi, don't wait too long before making your way to Mississippi's acclaimed eateries like Mary Mahoney's Old French House, Doe's Eat Place, and Leatha's Bar-B-Que Inn.
When comparing lifestyles, Mississippi shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than New Jersey. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Mississippi compared to what you are used to in New Jersey. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Mississippi.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New Jersey and Mississippi
Comparison | New Jersey | Mississippi |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Victorian | Antebellum, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Proximity to NYC, Granite Countertops | Large Lots, Waterfront |
- The Colonial and Victorian architecture that New Jersey is known for will be replaced with the Antebellum and Ranch architecture typical of Mississippi.
- Compared to New Jersey's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to NYC and granite countertops, Mississippi real estate listings often highlight features like large lots and waterfront.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Mississippi is less walkable than New Jersey.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Mississippi is less bike-friendly than New Jersey.
- Mississippi has less of an urban feel than New Jersey.
- Mississippi housing costs are 65% less expensive than those in New Jersey, with a median home price of $178,490 compared to New Jerseyβs $512,908.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Mississippi have increased by 31% compared to a 50% increase in New Jersey.
- Rent in Mississippi is 44.16% more affordable than in New Jersey.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New Jersey and Mississippi
Comparison | New Jersey | Mississippi |
---|---|---|
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, Nor'easters | Hurricanes, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85/68 | 91/72 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40/24 | 55/35 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 47 | 59 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 23 | 1 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from New Jersey to Mississippi. Mississippi gets 6% more sunshine days than New Jersey.
- Mississippi has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to New Jersey.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and nor'easters in New Jersey, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and tornadoes in Mississippi.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Mississippi is 6 degrees warmer than in New Jersey.
- The average winter lows are 11 degrees warmer than they are in New Jersey.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Mississippi. Mississippi receives 12 more inches of rain compared to New Jersey.
Financial & Community Snapshot: New Jersey and Mississippi
Comparison | New Jersey | Mississippi |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $96,346 | $52,719 |
Cost of Living Index | 129.7 | 92.1 |
State Income Tax | 1.4 - 10.75 | 3 - 5 |
Avg. Property Tax | 2.21 | 0.81 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.63 | 7.07 |
Top 3 Industries | Finance, Pharmaceuticals, Telecommunications | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Energy |
Affluence | Prosperous | Developing |
Poverty | Moderate | High |
Homelessness | Contained | Pressing |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Mississippi tend to earn about 45% less than those in New Jersey
- The COLI in Mississippi will be 29% lower than what you are used to living in New Jersey
- The state income tax in MS is 3 - 5% compared to 1.4 - 10.75% in NJ
- The affluence in Mississippi is developing compared to prosperous in New Jersey
- The poverty level is high in Mississippi compared to moderate in New Jersey
- In terms of homelessness, it is contained in New Jersey and pressing in Mississippi
Political and Religious Climate in New Jersey vs. Mississippi
Comparison | New Jersey | Mississippi |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Lean Republican |
Local Politics | Varied; Progressive urban areas | Conservative; Strong rural influence |
Religion | Diverse; Catholic, Jewish, Muslim communities | Primarily Protestant; High church attendance |
- New Jersey tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Mississippi, on the other hand, is often described as lean Republican
- Mississippi's religious environment can be described as primarily Protestant with high church attendance
- New Jersey's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse with Catholic, Jewish, and Muslim communities
Education Guide When Moving from New Jersey to Mississippi
Comparison | New Jersey | Mississippi |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Rutgers University Princeton University The College of New Jersey | University of Mississippi Mississippi State University University of Southern Mississippi |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Littlebrook Elementary School (Princeton) Roosevelt Elementary School (Hawthorne) Milton Avenue School (Chatham) | Mannsdale Elementary School (Madison) Davis Magnet School (Jackson) Madison Station Elementary (Madison) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Community Middle School (Plainsboro) Thomas Grover Middle School (West Windsor) William R. Satz Middle School (Holmdel) | Lewisburg Middle School (Olive Branch) Germantown Middle School (Madison) Oxford Middle School (Oxford) |
Top 3 High School Schools | High Technology High School (Lincroft) The Academy for Mathematics Science & Engineering (Rockaway) Bergen County Academies (Hackensack) | Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science (Columbus) Lewisburg High School (Olive Branch) Ocean Springs High School (Ocean Springs) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Pingry School (Basking Ridge) Newark Academy (Livingston) The Lawrenceville School (Lawrenceville) | Jackson Preparatory School (Jackson) Madison-Ridgeland Academy (Madison) Presbyterian Christian School (Hattiesburg) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Pennington School (Pennington) Morristown-Beard School (Morristown) Wardlaw+Hartridge School (Edison) | Jackson Academy (Jackson) St. Andrew's Episcopal School (Ridgeland) Heritage Academy (Columbus) |
Top 3 School Districts | Princeton Public Schools Millburn Township Schools West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District | Madison County Schools Clinton Public School District Ocean Springs School District |
How Much Do New Jersey to Mississippi Movers Cost?
Moving 1,121 miles from New Jersey to Mississippi 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: 3-8 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Express Haulers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,838 | 300 ft3 | $6.13 |
1 Bedroom | $2,735 | 450 ft3 | $6.08 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,520 | 750 ft3 | $6.03 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,574 | 1100 ft3 | $5.98 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,483 | 1600 ft3 | $5.93 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,578 | 1800 ft3 | $5.88 |
Top New Jersey to Mississippi Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best New Jersey to Mississippi movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Big G Movers, INC
Best moving company overall for New Jersey to Mississippi