Mississippi Local Expert
Katherine Mines
“She’s a devoted Disney gal, happily enduring long lines, hot pavement, and goofy mouse ears.”
See full bio
JourneysMoving Journeys|From MSMoving from Mississippi|To OKMoving to Oklahoma|Mississippi → Oklahoma
Your Mississippi to OK Relocation Guide: What Life Is Really Like
Swapping the Deep South for the Great Plains brings more change than most people anticipate. Mississippi and Oklahoma share a certain Southern warmth and a low cost of living, but the landscapes, job markets, and daily rhythms feel worlds apart once you actually settle in. Mississippians trade humid bayous and coastal influences for wide open prairies, tornado season in full force, and a state identity shaped as much by Native American heritage as by Southern roots. Our Snappy Scout team (Katherine & Shana) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle shifts you need to know before loading up the moving truck.
Who's Behind This Guide
Most Direct Route for a Moving Truck from Mississippi to Oklahoma
Average distance
650miles
Typical route
I-20 W and I-40 W are the major highways you'd drive to get from Mississippi to Oklahoma.
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Jackson, MS → Oklahoma City, OK
~650 miles
Gulfport, MS → Tulsa, OK
~750 miles
Biloxi, MS → Oklahoma City, OK
~750 miles
Hattiesburg, MS → Tulsa, OK
~700 miles
Meridian, MS → Oklahoma City, OK
~600 miles
Should You Move From Mississippi to Oklahoma Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Oklahoma 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 Expected Cost to Relocate from Mississippi to Oklahoma?
Moving 650 miles from Mississippi to Oklahoma 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
3–10days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,480.00
1 Bedroom
$2,190.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,620.00
3 Bedrooms
$5,260.00
4 Bedrooms
$7,570.00
5+ Bedrooms
$8,420.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,480.00 | 300 | $4.93 |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,190.00 | 450 | $4.87 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,620.00 | 750 | $4.83 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $5,260.00 | 1,100 | $4.78 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $7,570.00 | 1,600 | $4.73 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $8,420.00 | 1,800 | $4.68 |
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.
Is Moving to Oklahoma from Mississippi Right for Me?
Well, it depends. If you're a Tech Bro, Binge Shopper, or Cowboy, you'll thrive in your move to Oklahoma. But if you're more of a Garden Club Lifetime Member, DIYer, or Foodie, 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 Oklahoma.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from MS to OK
Tech Scene
Mississippi
3.5
/10
Oklahoma
5.5
/10
Mississippi
Giving up
Innovate Mississippi exists, but no SoMa bustle or unicorn herds.
Oklahoma
Gaining
36 Degrees North, fintech meetups, cheap Bricktown lofts
Recommended OK cities/areas for Tech Bros
TulsaOklahoma City
Mississippi
3.5
/10
Oklahoma
5.5
/10
Shopping
Mississippi
4.5
/10
Oklahoma
6
/10
Mississippi
Giving up
Renaissance at Colony Park shines, but fewer mega luxury splurges statewide.
Oklahoma
Gaining
Penn Square splurges, Utica Square strolls, Quail Springs weekends
Recommended OK cities/areas for Binge Shoppers
Oklahoma CityTulsa
Mississippi
4.5
/10
Oklahoma
6
/10
Cowboys
Mississippi
8.5
/10
Oklahoma
9.5
/10
Mississippi
Giving up
Dixie National Rodeo thrills at Mississippi Coliseum.
Oklahoma
Gaining
Stockyards City rodeos, Guymon Pioneer Days, prairie sunsets
Recommended OK cities/areas for Cowboys
Oklahoma CityGuymonWoodward
Mississippi
8.5
/10
Oklahoma
9.5
/10
Gardener
Mississippi
9
/10
Oklahoma
7
/10
Mississippi
Giving up
Natchez Pilgrimage blooms, Madison azaleas, porch gossip.
Oklahoma
Gaining
Philbrook gardens strolls, Myriad Botanical Gardens workshops
Recommended OK cities/areas for Garden Club Lifetime Members
TulsaOklahoma City
Mississippi
9
/10
Oklahoma
7
/10
DIYers
Mississippi
8.5
/10
Oklahoma
7.5
/10
Mississippi
Giving up
Laurel's Home Town spirit, reclaimed heart pine everywhere.
Oklahoma
Gaining
ReStores galore, Habitat sales, lumber at Mill Creek
Recommended OK cities/areas for DIYers
YukonMooreBroken Arrow
Mississippi
8.5
/10
Oklahoma
7.5
/10
Foodies
Mississippi
8.5
/10
Oklahoma
8
/10
Mississippi
Giving up
City Grocery, Big Bad Breakfast, and Jackson hot tamales.
Oklahoma
Gaining
Nonesuch tasting menus, Mother Road Market grazing, Cattlemen's steaks
Recommended OK cities/areas for Foodies
Oklahoma CityTulsa
Mississippi
8.5
/10
Oklahoma
8
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Oklahoma?
Being able to see farmland, animals, and open sky from just about anywhere.
– Shana Grandstaff
Oklahoma Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Mississippi and living in Oklahoma
MississippiOklahoma
The Eating Divide Between Mississippi and Oklahoma
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 Oklahoma
Our state dish was selected because it is the truth. We eat chicken fried steak, usually served with mashed potatoes and fried okra, and covered in cream gravy.
Shana GrandstaffOklahoma Local ExpertIs Oklahoma a More Affordable State for Your Tax Life?
Mississippi
Oklahoma
MississippivsOklahoma
State Income Tax
State Income TaxFlat 5% phasing toward 4% by 2026
Progressive brackets, top rate 4.75%
Mississippi
Flat 5% phasing toward 4% by 2026
VS
Oklahoma
Progressive brackets, top rate 4.75%
Property Taxes
Property TaxesJackson millage higher, Madison and Rankin moderate, Gulf Coast manageable, rural counties lower
Low statewide, higher in OKC metro (Oklahoma County) and Tulsa County, rural lowest
Mississippi
Jackson millage higher, Madison and Rankin moderate, Gulf Coast manageable, rural counties lower
VS
Oklahoma
Low statewide, higher in OKC metro (Oklahoma County) and Tulsa County, rural lowest
The Unfiltered Values, Beliefs, & Politics Picture: Mississippi vs Oklahoma
Mississippi
Oklahoma
MississippivsOklahoma
People
PeopleIn no hurry, deeply hospitable, church supper devotees, porch chat pros, generous to neighbors and newcomers alike
Plainspoken, neighborly, tornado tough, Friday night lights faithful
Mississippi
In no hurry, deeply hospitable, church supper devotees, porch chat pros, generous to neighbors and newcomers alike
VS
Oklahoma
Plainspoken, neighborly, tornado tough, Friday night lights faithful
Politics
Solidly conservative statewide, with blue pockets in Jackson, the Delta, Oxford, Starkville
Deep red statewide, OKC and Tulsa trend moderate blue, tribal governance distinct
Mississippi
Solidly conservative statewide, with blue pockets in Jackson, the Delta, Oxford, Starkville
VS
Oklahoma
Deep red statewide, OKC and Tulsa trend moderate blue, tribal governance distinct
Religion
ReligionMostly Protestant Baptist and nondenominational, strong Black churches, more Catholic and Pentecostal presence on Coast
Mostly Christian Protestant, strong Baptist and Pentecostal, some Catholic, tribal traditions
Mississippi
Mostly Protestant Baptist and nondenominational, strong Black churches, more Catholic and Pentecostal presence on Coast
VS
Oklahoma
Mostly Christian Protestant, strong Baptist and Pentecostal, some Catholic, tribal traditions
What Locals Actually Think About the Seasons in Mississippi and Oklahoma
SUMMER
Mississippi
swamp sauna deluxe (Delta sizzles, Biloxi breathes through a wet towel)
Oklahoma
windy oven, extra crispy (triple digits happen all over the state)
WINTER
Mississippi
light-medium jacket weather, long pants optional (Tupelo gets surprise ice, the Coast freaks out when temps dip below 60)
Oklahoma
frigid sneak attacks (OKC shivers, Panhandle blizzards, Tulsa mostly slush)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Oklahoma
Spring: Seeing tulips, daffodils, and irises emerge as everything becomes green again
Summer: Warm nights looking at the stars while listening to music and drinking iced tea
Fall: Looking at the changing leaves on Turkey Mountain, football gameday energy everywhere you go
Winter: Christmas lights everywhere, especially in small towns on Main Street
Shana GrandstaffOklahoma Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to Oklahoma
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 Oklahoma. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Oklahoma local experts.
Moving toTulsa
Deco Nights, Tulsa Tough Rides, QuikTrip At 2am
