Moving from El Monte, CA to Memphis, TN
Moving from El Monte, CA to Memphis, TN is a 1787 mi cross-country relocation — about 30h 44m of driving through 7 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1787 mi · 30h 44m by car · TN → AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TN → AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 66 HIST, US 270 |
| Major cities en route | Little Rock, Norman, Oklahoma City, Amarillo, Albuquerque |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| El Monte | Memphis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 92.179 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 74.097 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 96.221 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 79.807 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Memphis are 18.8% below El Monte — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Memphis typical home at $144,710 is 18.8% under El Monte at $765,444 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: El Monte +0.8%, Memphis -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | El Monte | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 63°F |
| January avg low | 46°F | 33°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 2.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.7" | 54.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 66.0°F vs 63.4°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Expect 2.7 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SAN GABRIEL FIRE DEPT, CA US, MEMPHIS INTL AP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | El Monte | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,066 | 629,063 |
| Median household income | $64,484 | $51,211 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.4% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.62 | 2.47 |
Median household income in Memphis is 18.8% below El Monte ($64,484 vs $51,211, ACS 5-year 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 California 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.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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 far is Memphis, TN from El Monte, CA?
The driving distance is 1787 mi and the route typically takes 30h 44m via I 40 and US 66 HIST. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Memphis compare to El Monte?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,400 in the Memphis MSA vs $50,490 in the El Monte MSA, on total employment of 625,340 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between El Monte and Memphis?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.4°F in Memphis vs 66.0°F in El Monte (2.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 2.7 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 54.9 in vs 15.7 in.
When is the best time to move from El Monte 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 1787 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Memphis compared to El Monte?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $144,710 in Memphis vs $765,444 in El Monte — a 81.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Memphis more expensive than El Monte?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Memphis is 18.8% lower than El Monte (92.179 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in El Monte vs Memphis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,211 in Memphis vs $64,484 in El Monte — a 20.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from El Monte.
City profiles: El Monte, CA · Memphis, TN.