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Virginia to Mississippi Moving Guide

Updated June 18, 2025

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Planning a 784 mile interstate move from Virginia to Mississippi? This moving guide will help you compare living in Virginia vs Mississippi across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs lower living costs), food & health (like Ham (specifically Smithfield Ham) vs Catfish), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs antebellum, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Virginia), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Ham (specifically Smithfield Ham) and Barbecue (BBQ), but get your taste buds ready for Catfish & Fried Chicken
  • Mississippi housing costs are 54% less expensive than they are in Virginia
  • Rent in Mississippi is 25.20% more affordable than in Virginia
  • Moving from Virginia to Mississippi will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
  • Our top recommended Virginia to Mississippi movers is ARS Movers

Virginia to Mississippi Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Virginia to Mississippi

ConsVirginia iconVirginia
  • High cost of living
  • Cold winters
  • Heavy traffic
  • Higher taxes
  • Urban sprawl
ProsMississippi iconMississippi
  • Lower living costs
  • Milder winters
  • Less congestion
  • Lower taxes
  • Rural charm

Mississippi iconMississippi
  • Fewer job options
  • Less diversity
  • Fewer beaches
  • Fewer historic sites
  • Less varied terrain
Virginia iconVirginia
  • Strong job market
  • Cultural diversity
  • Access to beaches
  • Rich history
  • Varied landscapes

Pros of moving from Virginia to Mississippi

  • Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to the lower living costs
  • Look forward to moving away from cold winters and moving to Mississippi with milder winters
  • Swap the heavy traffic of Virginia for less congestion in Mississippi
  • Get ready for lower taxes in Mississippi

Cons of moving from Virginia to Mississippi

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the strong job market in Virginia to live with fewer job options in Mississippi
  • You'll lose out on the pro of cultural diversity and have to settle with the con of less diversity
  • Time to bid farewell to access to beaches and get used to fewer beaches in Mississippi
  • Swap rich history for fewer historic sites

Virginia vs. Mississippi: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonVirginiaMississippi
Most iconic local food itemHam (specifically Smithfield Ham)Catfish
Most popular meat dishBarbecue (BBQ)Fried Chicken
Most popular street food itemFood Trucks offering a variety of cuisinesTamales
Most popular vegan foodGarden-to-table dishesSouthern-inspired vegan cuisine
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Inn at Little Washington
  • Lemaire
  • Buz and Ned’s Real Barbecue
  • The Big Easy
  • City Grocery
  • Weidmann's
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Virginia to Mississippi, you will be trading the iconic Ham (specifically Smithfield Ham) of Virginia for the equally delicious Catfish of Mississippi. And while the locals in Virginia rave about their flavorful Barbecue (BBQ) and sumptuous Food Trucks offering a variety of cuisines, Mississippi residents know they have tasty Fried Chicken and Tamales to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Garden-to-table dishes they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Southern-inspired vegan cuisine of Mississippi. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Virginia eateries like The Inn at Little Washington, Lemaire, and Buz and Ned’s Real Barbecue. After the boxes are unpacked in Mississippi, don't wait too long before making your way to Mississippi's acclaimed eateries like The Big Easy, City Grocery, and Weidmann's.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Virginia and Mississippi

ComparisonVirginiaMississippi
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, Cape CodAntebellum, Ranch
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 listingCommunity amenities, proximity to Washington D.C.Large lots, privacy
  • The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Virginia is known for will be replaced with the Antebellum and Ranch architecture typical of Mississippi.
  • Compared to Virginia's real estate listings that commonly reference community amenities and proximity to Washington D.C., Mississippi real estate listings often highlight features like large lots and privacy.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Mississippi is less walkable than Virginia.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Mississippi is less bike-friendly than Virginia.
  • Mississippi has less of an urban feel than Virginia.
  • Mississippi housing costs are 54% less expensive than they are in Virginia, with a median home price of $178,490 compared to Virginia’s $385,780.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Mississippi have increased by 31% compared to a 42% increase in Virginia.
  • Rent in Mississippi is 25.20% more affordable than in Virginia.

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

ComparisonVirginiaMississippi
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, Winter StormsHurricanes, Tornadoes
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85/6691/72
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)48/2958/37
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4359
Annual Snowfall (Inches)101
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Virginia to Mississippi. Mississippi gets 6% more sunshine days than Virginia.
  • Mississippi has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Virginia.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and winter storms in Virginia, 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 Virginia.
  • The average winter lows are 8 degrees warmer than they are in Virginia.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Mississippi. Mississippi receives 16 more inches of rain compared to Virginia.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Virginia and Mississippi

ComparisonVirginiaMississippi
Avg. Household Income$85,873$52,719
Cost of Living Index96.692.1
State Income Tax2% - 5.75%3% - 5%
Avg. Property Tax0.80%0.79%
Avg. Sales Tax5.3% - 7%7%
Top 3 IndustriesGovernment, Professional Services, EducationAgriculture, Manufacturing, Utilities
AffluenceModerateLow
PovertyModerateHigh
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Mississippi tend to earn about 39% less than those in Virginia
  • The COLI in Mississippi will be 5% lower than what you are used to living in Virginia
  • The state income tax in MS is 3% - 5% compared to 2% - 5.75% in VA
  • The affluence in Mississippi is low compared to moderate in Virginia
  • The poverty level is high in Mississippi compared to moderate in Virginia
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Virginia and moderate in Mississippi

Political and Religious Climate in Virginia vs. Mississippi

ComparisonVirginiaMississippi
Political Make-upLean DemocraticStrongly Republican
Local PoliticsModerate, with local variancesConservative, with local variances
ReligionMixed, with a significant number of non-religious individualsHighly religious, predominantly Christian
  • Virginia tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
  • Mississippi, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Republican
  • Mississippi's religious environment can be described as highly religious and predominantly Christian
  • Virginia's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as mixed with a significant number of non-religious individuals

Education Guide When Moving from Virginia to Mississippi

ComparisonVirginiaMississippi
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Virginia
Virginia Tech
William & Mary
University of Mississippi
Mississippi State University
University of Southern Mississippi
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsLongfellow Middle (Falls Church)
Nuckols Farm (Henrico)
Arlington Science Focus (Arlington)
Madison Station (Madison)
Oak Park (Ocean Springs)
Anniston Avenue (Gulfport)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsLongfellow Middle (Falls Church)
Cooper Middle (McLean)
Frost Middle (Fairfax)
Northwest Rankin Middle (Flowood)
Madison Middle (Madison)
Bayou View Middle (Gulfport)
Top 3 High School SchoolsThomas Jefferson High (Alexandria)
McLean High (McLean)
Langley High (McLean)
Madison Central High (Madison)
Ocean Springs High (Ocean Springs)
Lewisburg High (Olive Branch)
Top 3 private high schoolsThe Potomac School (McLean)
St. Anne's-Belfield School (Charlottesville)
Collegiate School (Richmond)
Jackson Preparatory School (Jackson)
Madison-Ridgeland Academy (Madison)
Presbyterian Christian School (Hattiesburg)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Madeira School (McLean)
Flint Hill School (Oakton)
Seton School (Manassas)
Jackson Academy (Jackson)
Heritage Academy (Columbus)
St. Andrew's Episcopal School (Ridgeland)
Top 3 School DistrictsFairfax County
Loudoun County
Arlington County
Madison County
Ocean Springs
Clinton Public School District

How Much Do Virginia to Mississippi Movers Cost?

Moving 784 miles from Virginia to Mississippi will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Estes SureMove
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,647300 ft3$5.49
1 Bedroom$2,448450 ft3$5.44
2 Bedrooms$4,042750 ft3$5.39
3 Bedrooms$5,8741100 ft3$5.34
4 Bedrooms$8,4641600 ft3$5.29
5+ Bedrooms$9,4321800 ft3$5.24

Top Virginia to Mississippi Movers

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

TOP PICK
ARS Movers featured image

ARS Movers

Best moving company overall for Virginia to Mississippi

9.64/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
A Change of Place Movers

A Change of Place Movers

9.59/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Matthew's Nationwide Moving featured image

Matthew's Nationwide Moving

9.49/10
ExceptionalView details
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