Mississippi Local Expert
Katherine Mines
“She’s a devoted Disney gal, happily enduring long lines, hot pavement, and goofy mouse ears.”
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JourneysMoving Journeys|From MSMoving from Mississippi|To NJMoving to New Jersey|Mississippi → New Jersey
Leaving Mississippi for New Jersey: Who Wins, Who Struggles, and Who Shouldn't Bother
Swapping the slow, easy pace of Mississippi for the fast moving energy of New Jersey is one of the more dramatic lifestyle shifts you can make within the continental United States. The South's hospitality and affordability give way to dense urban corridors, higher costs of living, and a culture that runs on coffee and commuter trains. What seems like a simple relocation on a map turns into a full reset of daily routines, budgets, and expectations once you actually make the move. Our Snappy Scout team (Katherine & Diane) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle changes you should expect before packing the first box.
Who's Behind This Guide
How to Drive from MS to New Jersey with a Moving Truck
Average distance
1,250miles
Typical route
I-20 E, I-85 N, I-95 N
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Jackson, MS → Newark, NJ
~1250 miles
Gulfport, MS → Jersey City, NJ
~1300 miles
Biloxi, MS → Trenton, NJ
~1300 miles
Hattiesburg, MS → Camden, NJ
~1200 miles
Southaven, MS → Atlantic City, NJ
~1150 miles
What's the Estimated Cost to Move from MS to New Jersey?
Moving 1,250 miles from Mississippi to New Jersey will typically cost between $2,500.00 and $4,500.00 to hire full service movers. See the breakdown below by home size.
Expected Range
$2,500.00–$4,500.00
Expected Time
4–11days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,260.00
1 Bedroom
$1,860.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,070.00
3 Bedrooms
$4,450.00
4 Bedrooms
$6,400.00
5+ Bedrooms
$7,110.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,260.00 | 300 | $4.2 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,860.00 | 450 | $4.13 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,070.00 | 750 | $4.09 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $4,450.00 | 1,100 | $4.05 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $6,400.00 | 1,600 | $4 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $7,110.00 | 1,800 | $3.95 |
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.
What Happens to Your Lifestyle When You Move from MS to New Jersey?
Well, it depends. If you're a Beach Bum, Binge Shopper, or Coffee Snob, you'll thrive in your move to New Jersey. But if you're more of a Cowboy, DIYer, or Retired Military, 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 Mississippi to New Jersey.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from MS to NJ
Beach Culture
Mississippi
4
/10
New Jersey
9.5
/10
Mississippi
Giving up
Biloxi's sand is super soft, but locals know better than to go in the water. Better for sunsets and oysters.
New Jersey
Gaining
Boardwalks, roller coasters, saltwater taffy, Stone Pony after-sun encores
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Beach Bums
Cape MayAsbury ParkBeach HavenWildwood
Mississippi
4
/10
New Jersey
9.5
/10
Shopping
Mississippi
4.5
/10
New Jersey
8.5
/10
Mississippi
Giving up
Renaissance at Colony Park shines, but fewer mega luxury splurges statewide.
New Jersey
Gaining
Paramus has more malls per mile than anywhere
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Binge Shoppers
ParamusShort HillsCherry Hill
Mississippi
4.5
/10
New Jersey
8.5
/10
Coffee Culture
Mississippi
6.5
/10
New Jersey
8.5
/10
Mississippi
Giving up
Cups in Fondren, The Greenhouse, and Oxford coffee shops.
New Jersey
Gaining
Bluestone Lane, modcup roasts, Asbury Roastery beach sips
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Coffee Snobs
MontclairJersey CityAsbury Park
Mississippi
6.5
/10
New Jersey
8.5
/10
Cowboys
Mississippi
8.5
/10
New Jersey
2
/10
Mississippi
Giving up
Dixie National Rodeo thrills at Mississippi Coliseum.
New Jersey
Gaining
Cowtown Rodeo thrills, but spurs feel lonely off Turnpike
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Cowboys
PilesgroveAugusta
Mississippi
8.5
/10
New Jersey
2
/10
DIYers
Mississippi
8.5
/10
New Jersey
6.5
/10
Mississippi
Giving up
Laurel's Home Town spirit, reclaimed heart pine everywhere.
New Jersey
Gaining
Habitat ReStore hauls, Home Depot runs, Millburn Lumber fixes
Recommended NJ cities/areas for DIYers
MaplewoodBloomfieldSomerville
Mississippi
8.5
/10
New Jersey
6.5
/10
Military Culture
Mississippi
8
/10
New Jersey
6
/10
Mississippi
Giving up
Keesler AFB access, VA care, Gulf Coast tee times.
New Jersey
Gaining
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst nearby, beach calm, VA resources
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Retired Militaries
Burlington TownshipToms RiverBrick
Mississippi
8
/10
New Jersey
6
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of New Jersey?
The smell of the ocean. The sound of the seagulls down the shore. The train whistles from the local commuter lines.
– Diane Briante
New Jersey Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Mississippi and living in New Jersey
MississippiNew Jersey
The Food Scene Between MS and New Jersey
Eating 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 ExpertEating Like a Local in New Jersey
Every diner has something they're famous for. Order that. Don't order something too fancy. Avoid the red sauce unless you have inside information that it doesn't come from a can. Splurge on those amazing looking cakes or pies. And we judge diners by their fries. If their fries aren't good, we might not be back.
Diane BrianteNew Jersey Local ExpertIs New Jersey a More Affordable State for Your Tax Bill?
Mississippi
New Jersey
MississippivsNew Jersey
State Income Tax
State Income TaxFlat 5% phasing toward 4% by 2026
Progressive 1.4% to 10.75%, top rate over $1M, multiple brackets
Mississippi
Flat 5% phasing toward 4% by 2026
VS
New Jersey
Progressive 1.4% to 10.75%, top rate over $1M, multiple brackets
Property Taxes
Property TaxesJackson millage higher, Madison and Rankin moderate, Gulf Coast manageable, rural counties lower
North Jersey suburbs like Bergen and Essex pricier, South Jersey lower, Jersey City abatements
Mississippi
Jackson millage higher, Madison and Rankin moderate, Gulf Coast manageable, rural counties lower
VS
New Jersey
North Jersey suburbs like Bergen and Essex pricier, South Jersey lower, Jersey City abatements
The Unfiltered People, Politics, & Religion Comparison: MS vs New Jersey
Mississippi
New Jersey
MississippivsNew Jersey
People
PeopleIn no hurry, deeply hospitable, church supper devotees, porch chat pros, generous to neighbors and newcomers alike
Direct, fast talking, proudly diverse, neighborhood loyal, bagel and pizza opinions unshakeable
Mississippi
In no hurry, deeply hospitable, church supper devotees, porch chat pros, generous to neighbors and newcomers alike
VS
New Jersey
Direct, fast talking, proudly diverse, neighborhood loyal, bagel and pizza opinions unshakeable
Politics
Solidly conservative statewide, with blue pockets in Jackson, the Delta, Oxford, Starkville
Reliably blue statewide, GOP strength in Ocean Monmouth Sussex, suburban moderates swing
Mississippi
Solidly conservative statewide, with blue pockets in Jackson, the Delta, Oxford, Starkville
VS
New Jersey
Reliably blue statewide, GOP strength in Ocean Monmouth Sussex, suburban moderates swing
Religion
ReligionMostly Protestant Baptist and nondenominational, strong Black churches, more Catholic and Pentecostal presence on Coast
Largely Christian, many Catholics, notable Jewish in Lakewood and Teaneck, growing Hindu Muslim unaffiliated
Mississippi
Mostly Protestant Baptist and nondenominational, strong Black churches, more Catholic and Pentecostal presence on Coast
VS
New Jersey
Largely Christian, many Catholics, notable Jewish in Lakewood and Teaneck, growing Hindu Muslim unaffiliated
What Locals Think About the Seasons in MS and New Jersey
SUMMER
Mississippi
swamp sauna deluxe (Delta sizzles, Biloxi breathes through a wet towel)
New Jersey
boardwalk waffle iron (sticky 90s inland, ocean breeze tempers the Shore)
WINTER
Mississippi
light-medium jacket weather, long pants optional (Tupelo gets surprise ice, the Coast freaks out when temps dip below 60)
New Jersey
puffer coat roulette (High Point bites, Cape May shrugs)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in New Jersey
The first day warm enough to hang out on the beach, the leaves changing in the fall - and the taste of my first Curley fries in Wildwood. The best!
Diane BrianteNew Jersey Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to New Jersey
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 Mississippi, take a deeper dive into the specifics of moving to New Jersey. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from New Jersey local experts.
Moving toNewark
Ironbound Eats, PATH Zips, Branch Brook Park Blooms
