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Moving from California to Mississippi

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Tech, beaches, mountains — and the country's highest housing costs. vs. Cheapest housing in US, deep South culture, low incomes.

CA state flag
Living now

California

Capital: Sacramento

Median household income $91,905 · winter low 45°F · 258 sunny days

Tech, beaches, mountains — and the country's highest housing costs.

MS state flag
Moving to

Mississippi

Capital: Jackson

Median household income $52,985 · winter low 36°F · 213 sunny days

Cheapest housing in US, deep South culture, low incomes.

Mississippi has an overall price level 87.0 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
California
110.7
Mississippi
87.0
Mississippi has 21% lower overall price level
Housing index
California
154.3
Mississippi
56.5
Mississippi has 63% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
California
102.7
Mississippi
96.7
Mississippi has 5.8% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
California
101.6
Mississippi
98.0
Mississippi has 3.5% lower utilities
Electricity rate
California
33.4 ¢/kWh
Mississippi
16.3 ¢/kWh
Mississippi has 51% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
California
102.1
Mississippi
97.4
Mississippi has 4.7% lower transportation
Median home value
California
$759,500
Mississippi
$186,500
Mississippi is 75% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
California
$1,835/mo
Mississippi
$829/mo
Mississippi is 55% cheaper to rent

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals (live) state-level

Summer high 92°F · Winter low 36°F · 213 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
California
84°F
Mississippi
92°F
Mississippi is 9.5% more summer highs
Avg winter low
California
45°F
Mississippi
36°F
Mississippi is 20% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
California
59°F
Mississippi
64°F
Mississippi is 7.6% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
California
258
Mississippi
213
Mississippi has 17% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
California
26 in
Mississippi
58 in
Mississippi is 127% more annual precipitation
Air quality (est. AQI)
California
68
Mississippi
42
Mississippi has 38% lower AQI
Snow / year
California
16 in
Mississippi
1 in
Mississippi is 94% less annual snowfall

Get the full CaliforniaMississippi report

Schools, healthcare, taxes, transportation, lifestyle, crime, family fit, move logistics, AI assistant, and 90-day timeline.

See the full comparison

Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in Mississippi than California?

Mississippi's overall price level is roughly 86.4 (US avg = 100), vs about 113 for California — based on BEA Regional Price Parities. Housing is the dominant driver of the difference. Run a comparison for the full, current breakdown.

What's the income tax difference?

California tops out at 13.3% income tax. Mississippi tops out at 4%.

How long do I have to register my vehicle in Mississippi?

Most Mississippi residents must register a vehicle within 30-60 days of moving. Check the piomover report for state-specific deadlines.

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