Moving from Brownsville, TX to Knoxville, TN
It is 1272 mi between Brownsville and Knoxville β roughly 23h 32m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 6 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.
1272 mi Β· 23h 32m by car Β· TN β GA β AL β MS β LA β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TN β GA β AL β MS β LA β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 59, I 10, US 77 |
| Major cities en route | Chattanooga, Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, New Orleans, Beaumont |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Brownsville | Knoxville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 85.975 | 92.569 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.15 | 71.869 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 57.72 | 82.783 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 7.7% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 7.7% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $195,993 to $369,216 moving to Knoxville.
YoY change: Brownsville +2.1%, Knoxville +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Brownsville | Knoxville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 74Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 51Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | β | 55.8" |
Expect 16.5Β°F colder on average per year β plan for heating load and winter gear.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WFO BROWNSVILLE, TX US, KNOXVILLE EXP STN, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Brownsville | Knoxville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 193,721 |
| Median household income | $48,675 | $50,994 |
| Median age | 30.9 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.8% | 20.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.21 | 2.28 |
Median household incomes in Brownsville ($48,675) and Knoxville ($50,994) are within a few percent (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 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 (16.5Β°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
Is Knoxville more expensive than Brownsville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Knoxville is 7.7% higher than Brownsville (92.569 vs 85.975, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Knoxville compared to Brownsville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $369,216 in Knoxville vs $195,993 in Brownsville β a 88.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Brownsville vs Knoxville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $50,994 in Knoxville vs $48,675 in Brownsville β a 4.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Knoxville, TN from Brownsville, TX?
The driving distance is 1272 mi and the route typically takes 23h 32m via I 59 and I 10. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Brownsville to Knoxville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1272 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Knoxville compare to Brownsville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,040 in the Knoxville MSA vs $33,540 in the Brownsville MSA, on total employment of 413,540 and 154,580 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Brownsville.
City profiles: Brownsville, TX Β· Knoxville, TN.