Moving from Knoxville, TN to Oklahoma City, OK
A move from Knoxville, TN to Oklahoma City, OK covers 856 mi and around 15h 8m of driving through 3 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
856 mi Β· 15h 8m by car Β· OK β AR β TN
Distance & route
| Route through | OK β AR β TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 270, OK 3 |
| Major cities en route | Norman, Little Rock, Memphis, Murfreesboro |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Knoxville | Oklahoma City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.569 | 90.408 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 71.869 | 74.067 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.247 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 82.783 | 73.885 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Oklahoma City and Knoxville is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Oklahoma City is 2.3% below Knoxville β $369,216 vs $206,713 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Knoxville +0.7%, Oklahoma City -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Knoxville | Oklahoma City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 27Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 6.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 55.8" | 36.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Knoxville (57.9Β°F) and Oklahoma City (60.1Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Oklahoma City averages 6.7 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: KNOXVILLE EXP STN, TN US, OKLAHOMA CITY WILL ROGERS AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Knoxville | Oklahoma City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 688,693 |
| Median household income | $50,994 | $66,702 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 35 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.5% | 21.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.28 | 2.5 |
Median household income in Oklahoma City is 2.3% above Knoxville ($50,994 vs $66,702, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Oklahoma City MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 91,690 | $40,050 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 68,430 | $26,100 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 60,820 | $36,060 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 59,770 | $34,460 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 43,490 | $76,980 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Tennessee and Oklahoma
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Oklahoma'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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Oklahoma City average 93Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Tornado season peaks April through June β identify a safe room or interior space in the new home on day one.
- 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 Oklahoma after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Oklahoma City compared to Knoxville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $206,713 in Oklahoma City vs $369,216 in Knoxville β a 44.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Oklahoma City, OK from Knoxville, TN?
The driving distance is 856 mi and the route typically takes 15h 8m via I 40 and US 270. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Oklahoma City more expensive than Knoxville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Oklahoma City is 2.3% lower than Knoxville (90.408 vs 92.569, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Knoxville to Oklahoma City?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 856 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 Knoxville vs Oklahoma City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,702 in Oklahoma City vs $50,994 in Knoxville β a 30.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Oklahoma City compare to Knoxville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,030 in the Oklahoma City MSA vs $43,040 in the Knoxville MSA, on total employment of 656,800 and 413,540 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Knoxville.
City profiles: Knoxville, TN Β· Oklahoma City, OK.