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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
California
106.1
Mississippi
96.2
Mississippi has 9.3% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
California
101.6
Mississippi
98.0
Mississippi has 3.5% lower utilities
Electricity rate
California
35.3 ¢/kWh
Mississippi
16.8 ¢/kWh
Mississippi has 52% 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
$2,104/mo
Mississippi
$990/mo
Mississippi is 53% 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
56
Mississippi
42
Mississippi has 25% lower AQI
Snow / year
California
302 in
Mississippi
1 in
Mississippi is 100% less annual snowfall

Get the full CaliforniaMississippi report

Schools, healthcare, taxes, transportation, lifestyle, crime, family fit, move logistics, and a 90-day move 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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