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 NYMoving to New York|Mississippi → New York
Relocating from Mississippi to New York: Is This Move Right for Your Personality?
Swapping the slow pace of Mississippi for the relentless energy of New York is one of the more dramatic lifestyle pivots you can make within the continental United States. The contrast goes far beyond geography, stretching from the cost of a grocery run to the way neighbors greet each other on the street. Warm Southern hospitality, affordable housing, and wide open space give way to crowded subway platforms, sky-high rents, and a city that genuinely never sleeps. Our Snappy Scout team (Katherine & Alexa) dug into the costs, logistics, and cultural adjustments you should expect before you load up the moving truck and head north.
Who's Behind This Guide
Mississippi to New York: Distance, Route, and Drive Time
Average distance
1,300miles
Typical route
I-55 N to I-40 E or I-81 N, connecting through Tennessee, Virginia, and into New York via I-78 or I-95
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Jackson, MS → New York City, NY
~1350 miles
Gulfport, MS → New York City, NY
~1400 miles
Biloxi, MS → Buffalo, NY
~1450 miles
Hattiesburg, MS → Albany, NY
~1350 miles
Tupelo, MS → New York City, NY
~1200 miles
Should You Move From Mississippi to New York Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to New York from Mississippi 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.
What's the Estimated Cost to Relocate from Mississippi to New York?
Moving 1,300 miles from Mississippi to New York 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 Personality When You Move from Mississippi to New York?
Well, it depends. If you're a Wall Street Exec, Binge Shopper, or Hipster, you'll thrive in your move to New York. But if you're more of a Cowboy, Garden Club Lifetime Member, or DIYer, 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 York.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from MS to NY
Wall Street Life
Mississippi
3
/10
New York
9
/10
Mississippi
Giving up
Capitol Street suits, but no Midtown power lunches or IPO frenzy.
New York
Gaining
NYSE steps, power lunches at Delmonico's, Bloomberg chatter
Recommended NY cities/areas for Wall Street Execs
Manhattan Financial District
Mississippi
3
/10
New York
9
/10
Shopping
Mississippi
4.5
/10
New York
7.5
/10
Mississippi
Giving up
Renaissance at Colony Park shines, but fewer mega luxury splurges statewide.
New York
Gaining
Saks to Supreme, sample sales, Broadway window temptation
Recommended NY cities/areas for Binge Shoppers
Fifth AvenueSoHoWoodbury Common
Mississippi
4.5
/10
New York
7.5
/10
Hipsters
Mississippi
6.5
/10
New York
9.5
/10
Mississippi
Giving up
Square Books, Fondren murals, Bay St. Louis galleries.
New York
Gaining
Vintage finds, rooftop sets, Rough Trade vinyl binges
Recommended NY cities/areas for Hipsters
WilliamsburgBushwickBeacon
Mississippi
6.5
/10
New York
9.5
/10
Cowboys
Mississippi
8.5
/10
New York
2.5
/10
Mississippi
Giving up
Dixie National Rodeo thrills at Mississippi Coliseum.
New York
Gaining
Painted Pony rodeos happen, but city sirens drown honky tonk
Recommended NY cities/areas for Cowboys
Lake LuzerneAtticaStony Creek
Mississippi
8.5
/10
New York
2.5
/10
Gardener
Mississippi
9
/10
New York
6.5
/10
Mississippi
Giving up
Natchez Pilgrimage blooms, Madison azaleas, porch gossip.
New York
Gaining
Brooklyn Botanic blooms, Buffalo Garden Walk glory
Recommended NY cities/areas for Garden Club Lifetime Members
Mississippi
9
/10
New York
6.5
/10
DIYers
Mississippi
8.5
/10
New York
6.5
/10
Mississippi
Giving up
Laurel's Home Town spirit, reclaimed heart pine everywhere.
New York
Gaining
Brooklyn Makerspace, Industry City workshops, Troy revival fix ups
Recommended NY cities/areas for DIYers
Red HookGowanusTroy
Mississippi
8.5
/10
New York
6.5
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of New York?
The smell of soft pretzels and dirty water dogs, the sound of waves crashing at Jones beach, and the sight of the Manhattan skyline as you cross the Throgs Neck Bridge after a roadtrip.
– Alexa Matthews
New York Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Mississippi and living in New York
MississippiNew York
The Food Divide Between Mississippi and New York
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 York
BECSPK is a Sunday ritual. Also, half and half is not something you put in your coffee - it's half iced tea, half lemonade, and it's basically mandatory for a beach day.
Alexa MatthewsNew York Local ExpertIs New York a More Affordable State for Your Tax Return?
Mississippi
New York
MississippivsNew York
State Income Tax
State Income TaxFlat 5% phasing toward 4% by 2026
Progressive 4% to 10.9%, plus NYC and Yonkers local income taxes
Mississippi
Flat 5% phasing toward 4% by 2026
VS
New York
Progressive 4% to 10.9%, plus NYC and Yonkers local income taxes
Property Taxes
Property TaxesJackson millage higher, Madison and Rankin moderate, Gulf Coast manageable, rural counties lower
Long Island and Westchester highest, NYC lower effective rates, upstate counties moderate
Mississippi
Jackson millage higher, Madison and Rankin moderate, Gulf Coast manageable, rural counties lower
VS
New York
Long Island and Westchester highest, NYC lower effective rates, upstate counties moderate
The Unfiltered People, Politics, & Religion Picture: Mississippi vs New York
Mississippi
New York
MississippivsNew York
People
PeopleIn no hurry, deeply hospitable, church supper devotees, porch chat pros, generous to neighbors and newcomers alike
Direct, impatient in lines, generous in crises, subway savvy, opinionated, surprisingly neighborly
Mississippi
In no hurry, deeply hospitable, church supper devotees, porch chat pros, generous to neighbors and newcomers alike
VS
New York
Direct, impatient in lines, generous in crises, subway savvy, opinionated, surprisingly neighborly
Politics
Solidly conservative statewide, with blue pockets in Jackson, the Delta, Oxford, Starkville
Deep blue statewide, NYC progressive, suburbs swingy, upstate mixed, local races unpredictable
Mississippi
Solidly conservative statewide, with blue pockets in Jackson, the Delta, Oxford, Starkville
VS
New York
Deep blue statewide, NYC progressive, suburbs swingy, upstate mixed, local races unpredictable
Religion
ReligionMostly Protestant Baptist and nondenominational, strong Black churches, more Catholic and Pentecostal presence on Coast
Plurality Christian, large Catholic, sizable Jewish in NYC, growing Muslim, Hindu, nonreligious
Mississippi
Mostly Protestant Baptist and nondenominational, strong Black churches, more Catholic and Pentecostal presence on Coast
VS
New York
Plurality Christian, large Catholic, sizable Jewish in NYC, growing Muslim, Hindu, nonreligious
What Locals Know About the Weather in Mississippi and New York
SUMMER
Mississippi
swamp sauna deluxe (Delta sizzles, Biloxi breathes through a wet towel)
New York
subway sauna chic (sticky in NYC, kinder in the Adirondacks)
WINTER
Mississippi
light-medium jacket weather, long pants optional (Tupelo gets surprise ice, the Coast freaks out when temps dip below 60)
New York
parka plus sass required (lake effect buries Buffalo, slush auditions in Manhattan)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in New York
The "ber" months in New York are unmatched. Whether you're apple picking in Hudson valley or cruising the parkway on Long Island to get to your favorite brewery, the vibrant foliage is an instant serotonin boost. And most of the fall months bring impeccable weather -- dry with moderate temperatures -- which give limitless potential to your fall pumpkin patch photoshoot wardrobe.
Alexa MatthewsNew York Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to New York
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 York. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from New York local experts.
Moving toAlbany
Shovel Wars, Stewart's Runs and Egg Lit Sunsets
Moving toBinghamton
Pack Spiedies. LUMA Dazzles. Free Carousels
Moving toBrooklyn
Pack Your Fixie and Your Rent Anxiety
