Moving from El Paso, TX to Knoxville, TN
Relocating 1478 mi from El Paso to Knoxville is a 25h 38m drive through 3 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1478 mi Β· 25h 38m by car Β· TX β AR β TN
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β AR β TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 20, I 30 |
| Major cities en route | Odessa, Midland, Abilene, Fort Worth, Arlington |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| El Paso | Knoxville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.912 | 92.569 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.585 | 71.869 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.248 | 82.783 | 100.0 |
El Paso and Knoxville 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
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $234,775 in El Paso to $369,216 in Knoxville, a 3.0% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: El Paso +1.4%, Knoxville +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | El Paso | Knoxville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 35Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 8.8" | 55.8" |
Expect 8.3Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: EL PASO INTL AP, TX US, KNOXVILLE EXP STN, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | El Paso | Knoxville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 193,721 |
| Median household income | $58,734 | $50,994 |
| Median age | 34.1 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.3% | 20.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.8 | 2.28 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 3.0% lower in Knoxville than El Paso.
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.
- 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 Knoxville compare to El Paso?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,040 in the Knoxville MSA vs $36,000 in the El Paso MSA, on total employment of 413,540 and 323,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Knoxville compared to El Paso?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $369,216 in Knoxville vs $234,775 in El Paso β a 57.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in El Paso vs Knoxville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $50,994 in Knoxville vs $58,734 in El Paso β a 13.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Knoxville, TN from El Paso, TX?
The driving distance is 1478 mi and the route typically takes 25h 38m via I 40 and I 20. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from El Paso to Knoxville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1478 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Knoxville more expensive than El Paso?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Knoxville is 3.0% higher than El Paso (92.569 vs 89.912, 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 El Paso.
City profiles: El Paso, TX Β· Knoxville, TN.