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Moving from Mississippi to Arizona

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Cheapest housing in US, deep South culture, low incomes. vs. Sun-belt sprawl, growing tech hubs, retirees love it.

MS state flag
Living now

Mississippi

Capital: Jackson

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

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

AZ state flag
Moving to

Arizona

Capital: Phoenix

Median household income $72,581 · winter low 43°F · 286 sunny days

Sun-belt sprawl, growing tech hubs, retirees love it.

Arizona has an overall price level 100.7 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
Mississippi
87.0
Arizona
100.7
Arizona has 16% higher overall price level
Housing index
Mississippi
56.5
Arizona
106.8
Arizona has 89% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Mississippi
96.7
Arizona
100.2
Arizona has 3.5% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Mississippi
98.0
Arizona
100.1
Arizona has 2.1% higher utilities
Electricity rate
Mississippi
16.3 ¢/kWh
Arizona
15.6 ¢/kWh
Arizona has 4.4% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Mississippi
97.4
Arizona
100.1
Arizona has 2.8% higher transportation
Median home value
Mississippi
$186,500
Arizona
$426,000
Arizona is 128% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Mississippi
$829/mo
Arizona
$1,416/mo
Arizona is 71% more expensive to rent

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals · EPA AirNow (live) state-level

Summer high 105°F · Winter low 43°F · 286 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
Mississippi
92°F
Arizona
105°F
Arizona is 14% more summer highs
Avg winter low
Mississippi
36°F
Arizona
43°F
Arizona is 19% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Mississippi
64°F
Arizona
62°F
Arizona is 2.2% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Mississippi
213
Arizona
286
Arizona has 34% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
Mississippi
58 in
Arizona
13 in
Arizona is 77% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Mississippi
42
Arizona
48
Arizona has 14% higher AQI
Snow / year
Mississippi
1 in
Arizona
10 in
Arizona is 900% more annual snowfall

Get the full MississippiArizona 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 Arizona than Mississippi?

Arizona's overall price level is roughly 100.7 (US avg = 100), vs about 86.4 for Mississippi — 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?

Mississippi tops out at 4% income tax. Arizona tops out at 2.5%.

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

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

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