Moving from Austin, TX to Memphis, TN
It is 652 mi between Austin and Memphis — roughly 11h 20m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
652 mi · 11h 20m by car · TX → AR → TN
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → AR → TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 30, US 67, I 40 |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Grand Prairie, Arlington |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Austin | Memphis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.066 | 92.179 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.044 | 74.097 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 96.221 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.361 | 79.807 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 6.0% cheaper overall in Memphis than Austin on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
6.0% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Austin -5.7%, Memphis -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Austin | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70°F | 63°F |
| January avg low | 42°F | 33°F |
| July avg high | 97°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.2" | 2.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.3" | 54.9" |
Annual temperature drops 6.6°F moving to Memphis per NOAA normals.
Light snow year: Memphis gets around 2.7 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US, MEMPHIS INTL AP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Austin | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 629,063 |
| Median household income | $91,461 | $51,211 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.2% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.2 | 2.47 |
Memphis households earn about 6.0% less than Austin at the median — $91,461 → $51,211 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Memphis MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 106,230 | $38,330 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 83,120 | $40,640 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 51,140 | $28,230 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 50,680 | $32,680 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 39,480 | $73,120 |
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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Memphis average 92°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Memphis averages 54.9 in of annual precipitation — 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 household income compare in Austin vs Memphis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,211 in Memphis vs $91,461 in Austin — a 44.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Austin and Memphis?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.4°F in Memphis vs 70.0°F in Austin (6.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 2.7 in vs 0.2 in. Annual precipitation: 54.9 in vs 36.3 in.
Is Memphis more expensive than Austin?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Memphis is 6.0% lower than Austin (92.179 vs 98.066, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Memphis compare to Austin?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,400 in the Memphis MSA vs $50,070 in the Austin MSA, on total employment of 625,340 and 1,235,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Memphis, TN from Austin, TX?
The driving distance is 652 mi and the route typically takes 11h 20m via I 30 and US 67. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Memphis compared to Austin?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $144,710 in Memphis vs $508,530 in Austin — a 71.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Austin to Memphis?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 652 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Austin.
City profiles: Austin, TX · Memphis, TN.