Moving from Grand Prairie, TX to Knoxville, TN
It is 861 mi between Grand Prairie and Knoxville β roughly 15h 17m 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.
861 mi Β· 15h 17m by car Β· TX β AR β TN
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β AR β TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 30, US 67 |
| Major cities en route | Arlington, Fort Worth, Irving, Lewisville, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Grand Prairie | Knoxville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 92.569 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 71.869 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 82.783 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 10.2% cheaper overall in Knoxville than Grand Prairie on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 10.2% above Grand Prairie β $316,527 β $369,216 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Grand Prairie -2.8%, Knoxville +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Grand Prairie | Knoxville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 33Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 41.1" | 55.8" |
Annual temperature drops 7.7Β°F moving to Knoxville per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: JOE POOL LAKE, TX US, KNOXVILLE EXP STN, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Grand Prairie | Knoxville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,564 | 193,721 |
| Median household income | $78,889 | $50,994 |
| Median age | 33.5 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.8% | 20.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.97 | 2.28 |
Knoxville households earn about 10.2% less than Grand Prairie at the median β $78,889 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 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 Grand Prairie?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,040 in the Knoxville MSA vs $48,440 in the Grand Prairie MSA, on total employment of 413,540 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Grand Prairie to Knoxville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 861 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Knoxville more expensive than Grand Prairie?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Knoxville is 10.2% lower than Grand Prairie (92.569 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Knoxville, TN from Grand Prairie, TX?
The driving distance is 861 mi and the route typically takes 15h 17m via I 40 and I 30. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Grand Prairie vs Knoxville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $50,994 in Knoxville vs $78,889 in Grand Prairie β a 35.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Knoxville compared to Grand Prairie?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $369,216 in Knoxville vs $316,527 in Grand Prairie β a 16.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Grand Prairie.
City profiles: Grand Prairie, TX Β· Knoxville, TN.