Moving from Irving, TX to Memphis, TN
Moving from Irving, TX to Memphis, TN covers 472 mi and about 8h 19m by car through 3 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
472 mi · 8h 19m by car · TN → AR → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TN → AR → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 30, US 70, I 40 |
| Major cities en route | Little Rock, Mckinney, Allen, Garland, Richardson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Irving | Memphis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 92.179 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 74.097 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 96.221 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 79.807 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Memphis are 10.6% below Irving — 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 10.6% under Irving at $341,503 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Irving -2.6%, Memphis -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Irving | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 63°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 33°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.6" | 2.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.0" | 54.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 66.6°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: DALLAS FT WORTH AP, TX US, MEMPHIS INTL AP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Irving | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,036 | 629,063 |
| Median household income | $79,641 | $51,211 |
| Median age | 32.8 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.8% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.71 | 2.47 |
Median household income in Memphis is 10.6% below Irving ($79,641 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 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 — 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.
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
What is the climate difference between Irving and Memphis?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.4°F in Memphis vs 66.6°F in Irving (3.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 2.7 in vs 1.6 in. Annual precipitation: 54.9 in vs 37.0 in.
How far is Memphis, TN from Irving, TX?
The driving distance is 472 mi and the route typically takes 8h 19m via I 30 and US 70. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Memphis compare to Irving?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,400 in the Memphis MSA vs $48,440 in the Irving MSA, on total employment of 625,340 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 Irving 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 472 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Irving vs Memphis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,211 in Memphis vs $79,641 in Irving — a 35.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Memphis compared to Irving?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $144,710 in Memphis vs $341,503 in Irving — a 57.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Memphis more expensive than Irving?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Memphis is 10.6% lower than Irving (92.179 vs 103.09, 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 Irving.
City profiles: Irving, TX · Memphis, TN.