Moving from Knoxville, TN to Topeka, KS
The drive from Knoxville, TN to Topeka, KS runs 793 mi β about 14h 45m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
793 mi Β· 14h 45m 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
| Knoxville | Topeka | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.569 | 88.82 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 71.869 | 88.942 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.247 | 94.027 | 100.0 |
| Services | 82.783 | 64.987 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Knoxville (92.569) and Topeka (88.82) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Topeka: 4.0% below Knoxville on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Knoxville +0.7%, Topeka -1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Knoxville | Topeka |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 55Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 55.8" | 37.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KNOXVILLE EXP STN, TN US, TOPEKA - NWS, KS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Knoxville | Topeka |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 126,103 |
| Median household income | $50,994 | $55,902 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 38.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.5% | 18.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.28 | 2.32 |
Income steps up 4.0%: $50,994 in Knoxville vs $55,902 in Topeka.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Topeka MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 14,950 | $39,390 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 9,940 | $41,900 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 8,460 | $63,790 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 8,420 | $27,880 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 8,350 | $70,100 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Tennessee and Kansas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Kansas'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
- 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 Kansas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Topeka, KS from Knoxville, TN?
The driving distance is 793 mi and the route typically takes 14h 45m via I 70 and I 24. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Topeka compare to Knoxville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,340 in the Topeka MSA vs $43,040 in the Knoxville MSA, on total employment of 113,350 and 413,540 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Knoxville vs Topeka?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,902 in Topeka vs $50,994 in Knoxville β a 9.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Topeka compared to Knoxville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $190,096 in Topeka vs $369,216 in Knoxville β a 48.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Topeka more expensive than Knoxville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Topeka is 4.0% lower than Knoxville (88.82 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 Topeka?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 793 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· Topeka, KS.