Moving from Chattanooga, TN to St. Louis, MO
It is a 445 mi drive, roughly 8h 16m, between Chattanooga, TN and St. Louis, MO. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
445 mi Β· 8h 16m by car Β· MO β IL β KY β TN β GA
Distance & route
| Route through | MO β IL β KY β TN β GA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 24, I 64, IL 3 |
| Major cities en route | Clarksville, Murfreesboro |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Chattanooga | St. Louis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.464 | 95.088 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.209 | 69.921 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.994 | 99.996 | 100.0 |
| Services | 76.55 | 79.024 | 100.0 |
Chattanooga and St. Louis sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Chattanooga -0.8%, St. Louis β. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Chattanooga | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 32Β°F | 25Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.6" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 55.0" | 43.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 61.9Β°F vs 58.0Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHATTANOOGA LOVELL AP, TN US, ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Chattanooga | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 293,109 |
| Median household income | $61,028 | $55,279 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 36.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 22% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.03 |
Households in St. Louis earn about 4.0% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in St. Louis MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 162,150 | $43,310 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 119,600 | $29,980 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 115,380 | $39,330 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 108,510 | $35,500 |
| Management Occupations | 94,750 | $100,940 |
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 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-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- 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
- Tornadoes are common April through June β 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 far is St. Louis, MO from Chattanooga, TN?
The driving distance is 445 mi and the route typically takes 8h 16m via I 24 and I 64. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Chattanooga to St. Louis?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 445 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 Chattanooga vs St. Louis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,279 in St. Louis vs $61,028 in Chattanooga β a 9.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in St. Louis compare to Chattanooga?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,490 in the St. Louis MSA vs $43,150 in the Chattanooga MSA, on total employment of 1,325,480 and 261,750 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is St. Louis more expensive than Chattanooga?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in St. Louis is 4.0% higher than Chattanooga (95.088 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 Β· St. Louis, MO.