Moving from Chattanooga, TN to Independence, MO
It is 680 mi between Chattanooga and Independence — roughly 12h 50m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 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.
680 mi · 12h 50m by car · TN → GA → KY → IL → MO
Distance & route
| Route through | TN → GA → KY → IL → MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 24, I 70, I 64 |
| Major cities en route | Murfreesboro, Clarksville, St Louis, Columbia, Lee S Summit |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Chattanooga | Independence | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.464 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.209 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.994 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 76.55 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 91.464 vs 92.543 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 1.2% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $319,579 to $208,158 moving to Independence.
YoY change: Chattanooga -0.8%, Independence +2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Chattanooga | Independence |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 54°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 19°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.6" | 13.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 55.0" | 44.7" |
Annual temperature drops 7.9°F moving to Independence per NOAA normals.
Independence averages 13.2 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: CHATTANOOGA LOVELL AP, TN US, INDEPENDENCE, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Chattanooga | Independence |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 121,944 |
| Median household income | $61,028 | $59,480 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 38.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 13.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.39 |
Median household incomes in Chattanooga ($61,028) and Independence ($59,480) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Independence MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 133,580 | $43,640 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 105,080 | $42,090 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 95,130 | $29,920 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 94,940 | $36,640 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 77,380 | $75,790 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Tennessee and Missouri
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Missouri'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.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Independence averages 13.2 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Tornadoes are common April through June — identify a safe room or interior space on day one.
- 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 Missouri after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Chattanooga vs Independence?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $59,480 in Independence vs $61,028 in Chattanooga — a 2.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Independence compared to Chattanooga?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $208,158 in Independence vs $319,579 in Chattanooga — a 34.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Independence compare to Chattanooga?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Independence MSA vs $43,150 in the Chattanooga MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 261,750 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Independence, MO from Chattanooga, TN?
The driving distance is 680 mi and the route typically takes 12h 50m via I 24 and I 70. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Chattanooga to Independence?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 680 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Chattanooga and Independence?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 54.0°F in Independence vs 61.9°F in Chattanooga (7.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 13.2 in vs 3.6 in. Annual precipitation: 44.7 in vs 55.0 in.
Is Independence more expensive than Chattanooga?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Independence is 1.2% higher than Chattanooga (92.543 vs 91.464, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Chattanooga.
City profiles: Chattanooga, TN · Independence, MO.