Moving from Tennessee to Mississippi
At roughly 413 miles, moving from Tennessee to Mississippi is a short interstate move — close enough that many people rent a truck and drive it themselves in a day. Here's the full checklist so nothing slips through.
Generate My ChecklistTN vs MS at a Glance
Income Tax
Sales Tax
Time Zone
Distance
Moving Cost
Professional move, 2–3 BR home. Summer +20–30%.
What This Move Means for You
New state income tax to plan for
Tennessee has no state income tax, but Mississippi's top rate is about 4%. Factor the change into your take-home pay and monthly budget.
Before You Leave Tennessee
You have no final Tennessee income tax return to file
Tennessee does not tax wages or salaries. The Hall income tax on interest and dividends was repealed for tax periods that begin on or after January 1, 2021. Do not file a Hall return for those years.
Source: Tennessee Department of Revenue, Hall Income TaxAsk your county clerk about your Tennessee plates
Tennessee license plates belong to the owner, not the vehicle. The Department of Revenue does not say what to do with them when you move out of state. Ask your county clerk before you destroy or turn in your plates.
Source: Tennessee Department of Revenue, Surrendering a License PlateDo not expect a refund for unused registration
Generally, Tennessee does not refund the unused part of a registration. A tag cannot be refunded after its registration period starts. You may get a refund only if you return new tags before your old ones expire. The state refunds only its share. Ask the county clerk about the county share.
Source: Tennessee Department of Revenue, VR-15 Unused Portion of a Vehicle RegistrationCheck the professional privilege tax if you keep a Tennessee license
Some professionals licensed or registered to practice in Tennessee pay a $400 tax each year. This includes attorneys, lobbyists, investment advisers, broker-dealers, and securities agents. The tax is due June 1. The tax is owed by people licensed or registered to practice in Tennessee. If you keep that license after you move, check whether you still owe it.
Source: Tennessee Department of Revenue, Professional Privilege TaxAsk your county election commission to remove your registration
Tennessee registration is permanent until the county election commission removes it. Send a written request to the commission to remove your name. The commission also removes you when it gets written confirmation that you registered in another place.
Source: Tennessee Secretary of State, How to Update your Voter RegistrationYour Moving Timeline
8 Weeks Before
At about 413 miles (~7.5 hours), this is short enough to DIY with a rental truck or a single-day mover run. Get 2–3 quotes and compare them against renting.
4 Weeks Before
Notify your utility providers, update your address with USPS, and begin packing non-essential items.
1 Week Before
Confirm with your movers, finish packing, clean your home, and prepare a moving day essentials bag.
Moving Day
Supervise loading, do a final walkthrough of your old home, and hand over the keys.
After the Move
Update your driver's license at the Mississippi DMV, register to vote in MS, and set up your new utilities.
Free to use — $2.99 to print
Climate Comparison
Tennessee
Humid subtropical with hot, humid summers and cold winters.
Mississippi
Humid subtropical with hot, humid summers and mild winters.
Utilities & Cost of Living
Tennessee
Mississippi
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is it from Tennessee to Mississippi?
The driving distance from Tennessee to Mississippi is approximately 413 miles — about 7.5 hours of driving at highway speeds.
How much does it cost to move from Tennessee to Mississippi?
A professional interstate move from Tennessee to Mississippi typically costs between $1,000 and $3,000, depending on the size of your home and time of year.
- Summer moves (May–September) tend to cost 20–30% more.
How soon do I need to update my driver's license after moving to Mississippi?
After establishing residency in Mississippi, you have 60 days to update your driver's license at a Mississippi DMV office.
- Vehicle registration is a separate transaction with its own deadline, which in most states differs from the license deadline — confirm both with the Mississippi DMV before you go.
What is the climate like in Mississippi?
Mississippi has humid subtropical with hot, humid summers and mild winters.
- The annual average temperature is 63°F, with about 56 inches of precipitation per year.
- Average monthly electricity bills run around $155.