Moving from College Station, TX to Memphis, TN
It is 564 mi between College Station and Memphis β roughly 10h 23m 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.
564 mi Β· 10h 23m by car Β· TN β AR β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TN β AR β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 30, I 40, TX 155 |
| Major cities en route | Little Rock, Tyler |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| College Station | Memphis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.951 | 92.179 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.39 | 74.097 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 96.221 | 100.0 |
| Services | 75.088 | 79.807 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 90.951 vs 92.179 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 1.4% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $349,041 to $144,710 moving to Memphis.
YoY change: College Station +0.5%, Memphis -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | College Station | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 33Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 2.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.8" | 54.9" |
Annual temperature drops 6.0Β°F moving to Memphis per NOAA normals.
Memphis averages 2.7 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: COLLEGE STN, TX US, MEMPHIS INTL AP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | College Station | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,280 | 629,063 |
| Median household income | $51,776 | $51,211 |
| Median age | 22.9 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.74 | 2.47 |
Median household incomes in College Station ($51,776) and Memphis ($51,211) are within a few percent (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 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Memphis average 92Β°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 β 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 the job market in Memphis compare to College Station?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,400 in the Memphis MSA vs $42,710 in the College Station MSA, on total employment of 625,340 and 128,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Memphis compared to College Station?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $144,710 in Memphis vs $349,041 in College Station β a 58.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Memphis more expensive than College Station?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Memphis is 1.4% higher than College Station (92.179 vs 90.951, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in College Station vs Memphis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,211 in Memphis vs $51,776 in College Station β a 1.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from College Station to Memphis?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 564 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Memphis, TN from College Station, TX?
The driving distance is 564 mi and the route typically takes 10h 23m via I 30 and I 40. 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 College Station.
City profiles: College Station, TX Β· Memphis, TN.