Moving from Austin, TX to Knoxville, TN
A move from Austin, TX to Knoxville, TN covers 1035 mi and around 18h 17m of driving through 3 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1035 mi Β· 18h 17m by car Β· TX β AR β TN
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β AR β TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 30, US 67 |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Arlington, Grand Prairie |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Austin | Knoxville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.066 | 92.569 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.044 | 71.869 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.361 | 82.783 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 98.066 to 92.569, putting Knoxville roughly 5.6% below Austin on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Knoxville: 5.6% below Austin on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Austin -5.7%, Knoxville +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Austin | Knoxville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 42Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 97Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.2" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 36.3" | 55.8" |
Knoxville is 12.1Β°F cooler on the annual average (70.0Β°F vs 57.9Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US, KNOXVILLE EXP STN, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Austin | Knoxville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 193,721 |
| Median household income | $91,461 | $50,994 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.2% | 20.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.2 | 2.28 |
Median household income in Knoxville is 5.6% below Austin ($91,461 vs $50,994, ACS 5-year 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 Texas 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.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (12.1Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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
When is the best time to move from Austin to Knoxville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1035 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Austin vs Knoxville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $50,994 in Knoxville vs $91,461 in Austin β a 44.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Knoxville compared to Austin?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $369,216 in Knoxville vs $508,530 in Austin β a 27.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Knoxville more expensive than Austin?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Knoxville is 5.6% lower than Austin (92.569 vs 98.066, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Knoxville compare to Austin?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,040 in the Knoxville MSA vs $50,070 in the Austin MSA, on total employment of 413,540 and 1,235,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Knoxville, TN from Austin, TX?
The driving distance is 1035 mi and the route typically takes 18h 17m via I 40 and I 30. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Austin.
City profiles: Austin, TX Β· Knoxville, TN.