Moving from Kansas City, KS to Knoxville, TN
It is 742 mi between Kansas City and Knoxville β roughly 13h 52m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 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.
742 mi Β· 13h 52m by car Β· TN β KY β IL β MO β KS
Distance & route
| Route through | TN β KY β IL β MO β KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 24, I 40 |
| Major cities en route | Murfreesboro, Clarksville, St Louis, Columbia, Independence |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Kansas City | Knoxville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 92.569 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 71.869 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 82.783 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 92.543 vs 92.569 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 0.0% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $198,195 to $369,216 moving to Knoxville.
YoY change: Kansas City +1.0%, Knoxville +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Kansas City | Knoxville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 11.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 38.1" | 55.8" |
Annual average temperatures in Kansas City (56.9Β°F) and Knoxville (57.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US, KNOXVILLE EXP STN, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kansas City | Knoxville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 193,721 |
| Median household income | $59,183 | $50,994 |
| Median age | 34 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.6% | 20.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.28 |
Households in Knoxville earn about 0.0% less at the median β ACS 5-year 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 Kansas 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.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees 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 Kansas City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,040 in the Knoxville MSA vs $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA, on total employment of 413,540 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Kansas City vs Knoxville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $50,994 in Knoxville vs $59,183 in Kansas City β a 13.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Kansas City to Knoxville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 742 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Knoxville, TN from Kansas City, KS?
The driving distance is 742 mi and the route typically takes 13h 52m via I 70 and I 24. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Knoxville compared to Kansas City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $369,216 in Knoxville vs $198,195 in Kansas City β a 86.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Kansas City.
City profiles: Kansas City, KS Β· Knoxville, TN.