Moving from Elk Grove, CA to Memphis, TN
A 2078 mi cross-country move between Elk Grove and Memphis is 36h 15m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 7 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2078 mi Β· 36h 15m by car Β· TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, CA 99, US 66 HIST |
| 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
| Elk Grove | Memphis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.67 | 92.179 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 151.29 | 74.097 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 96.221 | 100.0 |
| Services | 130.23 | 79.807 | 100.0 |
Expect about 13.6% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Memphis at 92.179 vs Elk Grove at 106.67.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 13.6% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $637,450 to $144,710 moving to Memphis.
YoY change: Elk Grove -3.5%, Memphis -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Elk Grove | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 33Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 2.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 18.1" | 54.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Elk Grove (61.8Β°F) and Memphis (63.4Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (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: SACRAMENTO EXECUTIVE AP, CA US, MEMPHIS INTL AP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elk Grove | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,221 | 629,063 |
| Median household income | $122,229 | $51,211 |
| Median age | 39 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.4% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.24 | 2.47 |
Memphis households earn about 13.6% less than Elk Grove at the median β $122,229 β $51,211 on 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 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 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.
- 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 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 much do homes cost in Memphis compared to Elk Grove?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $144,710 in Memphis vs $637,450 in Elk Grove β a 77.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Elk Grove to Memphis?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2078 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Memphis compare to Elk Grove?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,400 in the Memphis MSA vs $55,290 in the Elk Grove MSA, on total employment of 625,340 and 1,048,170 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Memphis more expensive than Elk Grove?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Memphis is 13.6% lower than Elk Grove (92.179 vs 106.67, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Memphis, TN from Elk Grove, CA?
The driving distance is 2078 mi and the route typically takes 36h 15m via I 40 and CA 99. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Elk Grove vs Memphis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,211 in Memphis vs $122,229 in Elk Grove β a 58.1% 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 Elk Grove.
City profiles: Elk Grove, CA Β· Memphis, TN.