Florida Local Expert
Vanessa Leikvoll
“She fosters dogs but answers to the two parakeets who clearly run her house.”
See full bio
Moving from FL to Mississippi: Your Step-by-Step Guide
Two Southern states separated by a short stretch of highway might seem like an easy transition, but trading Florida's coastline culture for Mississippi's inland charm brings more change than most people anticipate. Florida spoils residents with beach access and a buzzing tourist economy, while Mississippi offers a slower pace, lower costs, and a deep sense of community that is hard to find anywhere else. Our Snappy Scout team (Vanessa & Katherine) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle shifts you should know about before you load the first box.
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Who's Behind This Guide
Florida to MS: The Drive, the Route, the Miles
Average distance
600miles
Typical route
I-10 W and I-59 N
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Jacksonville, FL → Jackson, MS
~650 miles
Orlando, FL → Biloxi, MS
~600 miles
Miami, FL → Jackson, MS
~850 miles
Tampa, FL → Gulfport, MS
~500 miles
Tallahassee, FL → Hattiesburg, MS
~400 miles
Should You Move From Florida to Mississippi Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Mississippi from Florida is the right call for your lifestyle and preferences.
Progress1 of 10 questions
Question 1 of 10
What kind of weather makes you happiest?
0/10answered
Live score
Collecting your answers and forming an opinion. Answer another question to see the results.
The Honest Cost of a Florida to MS Relocation
Moving 600 miles from Florida to Mississippi will typically cost between $2,500.00 and $5,500.00 to hire full service movers. See the breakdown below by home size.
Expected Range
$2,500.00–$5,500.00
Expected Time
2–9days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,500.00
1 Bedroom
$2,230.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,680.00
3 Bedrooms
$5,340.00
4 Bedrooms
$7,700.00
5+ Bedrooms
$8,570.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,500.00 | 300 | $5 |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,230.00 | 450 | $4.96 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,680.00 | 750 | $4.91 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $5,340.00 | 1,100 | $4.85 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $7,700.00 | 1,600 | $4.81 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $8,570.00 | 1,800 | $4.76 |
How we calculated these numbers: We reached out to the owners and operators of more than a dozen nationwide moving companies to figure out how they factor in mileage, weight, volume, timing, origin & termination locations, and approximate home sizes to determine a moving estimate. The results above are what the data nerds at Snappy Scout created based on that info.
That's the average.
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What Type of Person Regrets It After Moving from Florida to MS?
Well, it depends. If you're a Garden Club Lifetime Member, Homesteader, or Vintage Thrifter, you'll thrive in your move to Mississippi. But if you're more of a Beach Bum, Retired Snowbird, or Binge Shopper, settling into your new home state may be a bit of a challenge. We scored a variety of different “personalities” on a 10-point scale to show you what to expect from a lifestyle perspective with a relocation from Florida to Mississippi.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from FL to MS
Gardener
Florida
5
/10
Mississippi
9
/10
Florida
Giving up
Tropical plants thrive (sorry, not in the panhandle), but summer heat wilts your patience.
Mississippi
Gaining
Natchez Pilgrimage blooms, Madison azaleas, porch gossip.
Recommended MS cities/areas for Garden Club Lifetime Members
NatchezMadisonOcean Springs
Florida
5
/10
Mississippi
9
/10
Homesteading
Florida
6
/10
Mississippi
9.5
/10
Florida
Giving up
Growing mangoes beats corn, but hurricanes test your grit.
Mississippi
Gaining
Acreage, chicken coops, Homochitto National Forest weekends.
Recommended MS cities/areas for Homesteaders
LaurelBrookhavenKosciusko
Florida
6
/10
Mississippi
9.5
/10
Thrifting
Florida
5.5
/10
Mississippi
8
/10
Florida
Giving up
Retro Florida flair hides in antique shops and swap meets.
Mississippi
Gaining
Fondren antiques, Bay St. Louis junk shops, bluesy treasures.
Recommended MS cities/areas for Vintage Thrifters
Jackson (Fondren)HattiesburgBay St. Louis
Florida
5.5
/10
Mississippi
8
/10
Beach Culture
Florida
10
/10
Mississippi
4
/10
Florida
Giving up
Year-round surf, sand, and Margaritaville moods everywhere you go.
Mississippi
Gaining
Biloxi's sand is super soft, but locals know better than to go in the water. Better for sunsets and oysters.
Recommended MS cities/areas for Beach Bums
BiloxiPass Christian
Florida
10
/10
Mississippi
4
/10
Snowbirds
Florida
9.5
/10
Mississippi
6
/10
Florida
Giving up
Golf carts, palm trees, and perpetual sunshine never get old.
Mississippi
Gaining
Mild winters, casino shows, Cruisin' The Coast season.
Recommended MS cities/areas for Retired Snowbirds
Florida
9.5
/10
Mississippi
6
/10
Shopping
Florida
6.5
/10
Mississippi
4.5
/10
Florida
Giving up
Outlet heaven, but your credit card might melt in the sun.
Mississippi
Gaining
Renaissance at Colony Park shines, but fewer mega luxury splurges statewide.
Recommended MS cities/areas for Binge Shoppers
Florida
6.5
/10
Mississippi
4.5
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Mississippi?
Living on the Coast, it's fresh beignets with powdered sugar under the shade of a live oak while looking out at the Gulf with the sound of C-130s roaring overhead.
– Katherine Mines
Mississippi Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Florida and living in Mississippi
FloridaMississippi
Florida vs MS: Local Food Culture
Eating Like a Local in Florida
This really varies by where in Florida you are. But, generally, Cuban and Latin-inspired food here is very popular, as well as what I refer to as "beach bar food:" coconut shrimp, grouper bites, crab cakes, gator bites, fish tacos, and of course, margaritas (especially spicy ones with a Tajin rim).
I don't think there are any unspoken rules here, per se, except that you always want to get the freshest fish available, such as mahi mahi or grouper, and skip the conventional white fish.
Vanessa LeikvollFlorida Local ExpertEating Like a Local in Mississippi
When you're in Mississippi, it's essential that you "get in a pinch" and suck some guts out of a crawfish at least once. Wear a shirt you can get messy, and don't even think about donning one of those plastic bibs--the locals will definitely lose respect for you.
Katherine MinesMississippi Local ExpertMississippi looking like
the right move?
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Is MS a Less Tax-Friendly State for Your Tax Future?
Florida
Mississippi
FloridavsMississippi
State Income Tax
State Income TaxNone. Sunshine is free, and so is your paycheck.
Flat 5% phasing toward 4% by 2026
Florida
None. Sunshine is free, and so is your paycheck.
VS
Mississippi
Flat 5% phasing toward 4% by 2026
Property Taxes
Property TaxesModerate overall; Miami-Dade higher, Panhandle pleasantly lower.
Jackson millage higher, Madison and Rankin moderate, Gulf Coast manageable, rural counties lower
Florida
Moderate overall; Miami-Dade higher, Panhandle pleasantly lower.
VS
Mississippi
Jackson millage higher, Madison and Rankin moderate, Gulf Coast manageable, rural counties lower
How People, Politics, & Religion Break Down Between Florida and MS
Florida
Mississippi
FloridavsMississippi
People
PeopleFriendly but eccentric; equal parts laid-back, loud, and lightning-fast with opinions.
In no hurry, deeply hospitable, church supper devotees, porch chat pros, generous to neighbors and newcomers alike
Florida
Friendly but eccentric; equal parts laid-back, loud, and lightning-fast with opinions.
VS
Mississippi
In no hurry, deeply hospitable, church supper devotees, porch chat pros, generous to neighbors and newcomers alike
Politics
A wild beach party of red and blue—expect flip-flops and fiery debates.
Solidly conservative statewide, with blue pockets in Jackson, the Delta, Oxford, Starkville
Florida
A wild beach party of red and blue—expect flip-flops and fiery debates.
VS
Mississippi
Solidly conservative statewide, with blue pockets in Jackson, the Delta, Oxford, Starkville
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, with Catholic and evangelical strongholds; growing Jewish and nonreligious communities.
Mostly Protestant Baptist and nondenominational, strong Black churches, more Catholic and Pentecostal presence on Coast
Florida
Mostly Christian, with Catholic and evangelical strongholds; growing Jewish and nonreligious communities.
VS
Mississippi
Mostly Protestant Baptist and nondenominational, strong Black churches, more Catholic and Pentecostal presence on Coast
Seasons in Florida vs MS: A Local's Honest Opinion
SUMMER
Florida
Just plain hot (triple digits and 98% humidity in Miami)
Mississippi
swamp sauna deluxe (Delta sizzles, Biloxi breathes through a wet towel)
WINTER
Florida
Sweater optional (unless you're in the Panhandle, then it's gloves and regret)
Mississippi
light-medium jacket weather, long pants optional (Tupelo gets surprise ice, the Coast freaks out when temps dip below 60)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Mississippi
My favorite season in Mississippi is Mardi Gras season! Starting on the Eve of Epiphany, or the 12th day of Christmas, the Mardi Gras season is filled with parades, fancy balls, and every flavor of king cake you could imagine (and whoever gets the baby has to buy the next king cake). This isn't New Orleans Mardi Gras, it's fun--and appropriate--for the whole family.
Katherine MinesMississippi Local Expert✧ You've researched the move ✧
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Next Steps
Learn More About Moving to Mississippi
By now, you're hopefully fully aware that at Snappy Scout, our moving guides aren't like the rest! Now that you've compared the aspects of leaving behind Florida, take a deeper dive into the specifics of moving to Mississippi. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Mississippi local experts.
Moving toBiloxi
Prep Your Flood Insurance and Hurricane Kit
Moving toGulfport
Pack Sunscreen and Flood Insurance
Moving toJackson
Heat, Boil Alerts, Potholes, And Comeback Sauce
