Moving from Knoxville, TN to St. Louis, MO
Moving from Knoxville, TN to St. Louis, MO covers 487 mi and about 8h 55m by car through 4 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
487 mi Β· 8h 55m by car Β· MO β IL β KY β TN
Distance & route
| Route through | MO β IL β KY β TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 24, I 40, I 64 |
| Major cities en route | Clarksville, Murfreesboro |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Knoxville | St. Louis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.569 | 95.088 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 71.869 | 69.921 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.247 | 99.996 | 100.0 |
| Services | 82.783 | 79.024 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Knoxville (92.569) and St. Louis (95.088) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Knoxville +0.7%, St. Louis β. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Knoxville | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 25Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 55.8" | 43.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KNOXVILLE EXP STN, TN US, ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Knoxville | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 293,109 |
| Median household income | $50,994 | $55,279 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 36.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.5% | 22% |
| Avg household size | 2.28 | 2.03 |
Median household income in St. Louis is 2.7% above Knoxville ($50,994 β $55,279, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in St. Louis MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 162,150 | $43,310 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 119,600 | $29,980 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 115,380 | $39,330 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 108,510 | $35,500 |
| Management Occupations | 94,750 | $100,940 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Tennessee and Missouri
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Missouri'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-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- 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
- Tornadoes are common April through June β identify a safe room or interior space 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 Missouri after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is St. Louis, MO from Knoxville, TN?
The driving distance is 487 mi and the route typically takes 8h 55m via I 24 and I 40. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in St. Louis compare to Knoxville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,490 in the St. Louis MSA vs $43,040 in the Knoxville MSA, on total employment of 1,325,480 and 413,540 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is St. Louis more expensive than Knoxville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in St. Louis is 2.7% higher than Knoxville (95.088 vs 92.569, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Knoxville vs St. Louis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,279 in St. Louis vs $50,994 in Knoxville β a 8.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Knoxville to St. Louis?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 487 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Knoxville.
City profiles: Knoxville, TN Β· St. Louis, MO.