Moving from Ann Arbor, MI to Knoxville, TN
The drive from Ann Arbor, MI to Knoxville, TN runs 500 mi β about 9h 20m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
500 mi Β· 9h 20m by car Β· TN β KY β OH β MI
Distance & route
| Route through | TN β KY β OH β MI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 75, US 23, I 475 |
| Major cities en route | Cincinnati, Dayton, Toledo, Dearborn |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Ann Arbor | Knoxville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.88 | 92.569 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 98.184 | 71.869 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.711 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.3 | 82.783 | 100.0 |
Knoxville is 8.2% cheaper than Ann Arbor overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Knoxville is 8.2% below Ann Arbor β $523,391 vs $369,216 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Ann Arbor +3.2%, Knoxville +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Ann Arbor | Knoxville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 16Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 59.3" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 37.9" | 55.8" |
Climate warms by 9.7Β°F on the annual average β 48.2Β°F β 57.9Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ANN ARBOR SE, MI US, KNOXVILLE EXP STN, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Ann Arbor | Knoxville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,179 | 193,721 |
| Median household income | $81,089 | $50,994 |
| Median age | 27.7 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.5% | 20.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.43 | 2.28 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 8.2% between Ann Arbor and Knoxville (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Knoxville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 57,000 | $39,660 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 40,780 | $28,680 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 39,220 | $36,490 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 35,880 | $32,470 |
| Production Occupations | 33,840 | $41,910 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Michigan and Tennessee
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Tennessee's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- Lake-effect snow bands across the western Upper Peninsula can require chains on US-2.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Pack rain gear on top: Knoxville averages 55.8 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Tennessee after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Knoxville compare to Ann Arbor?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,040 in the Knoxville MSA vs $49,690 in the Ann Arbor MSA, on total employment of 413,540 and 215,300 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Ann Arbor to Knoxville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 500 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Knoxville, TN from Ann Arbor, MI?
The driving distance is 500 mi and the route typically takes 9h 20m via I 75 and US 23. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Knoxville more expensive than Ann Arbor?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Knoxville is 8.2% lower than Ann Arbor (92.569 vs 100.88, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Knoxville compared to Ann Arbor?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $369,216 in Knoxville vs $523,391 in Ann Arbor β a 29.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Ann Arbor vs Knoxville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $50,994 in Knoxville vs $81,089 in Ann Arbor β a 37.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Ann Arbor.
City profiles: Ann Arbor, MI Β· Knoxville, TN.