Moving from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Knoxville, TN
It is 837 mi between Fort Lauderdale and Knoxville β roughly 15h 31m 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.
837 mi Β· 15h 31m by car Β· TN β GA β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | TN β GA β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 75, GA 540, I 40 |
| Major cities en route | Chattanooga, Sandy Springs, Atlanta, South Fulton, Gainesville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fort Lauderdale | Knoxville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 114.155 | 92.569 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 97.235 | 71.869 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.556 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 155.551 | 82.783 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 18.9% cheaper overall in Knoxville than Fort Lauderdale on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
18.9% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Fort Lauderdale -4.9%, Knoxville +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fort Lauderdale | Knoxville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 77Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 60Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 64.3" | 55.8" |
Annual average temperature gap of 19.0Β°F β a meaningful climate change across the move.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FT LAUDERDALE BEACH, FL US, KNOXVILLE EXP STN, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Lauderdale | Knoxville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 193,721 |
| Median household income | $79,935 | $50,994 |
| Median age | 42.9 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.8% | 20.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.27 | 2.28 |
Knoxville households earn about 18.9% less than Fort Lauderdale at the median β $79,935 β $50,994 on ACS 2023.
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 Florida 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (19.0Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 Knoxville compared to Fort Lauderdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $369,216 in Knoxville vs $508,474 in Fort Lauderdale β a 27.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Knoxville compare to Fort Lauderdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,040 in the Knoxville MSA vs $46,510 in the Fort Lauderdale MSA, on total employment of 413,540 and 2,721,490 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Knoxville more expensive than Fort Lauderdale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Knoxville is 18.9% lower than Fort Lauderdale (92.569 vs 114.155, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Knoxville, TN from Fort Lauderdale, FL?
The driving distance is 837 mi and the route typically takes 15h 31m via I 75 and GA 540. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Fort Lauderdale to Knoxville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 837 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 Fort Lauderdale vs Knoxville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $50,994 in Knoxville vs $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale β a 36.2% 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 Fort Lauderdale.
City profiles: Fort Lauderdale, FL Β· Knoxville, TN.