Moving from Knoxville, TN to Waco, TX
A move from Knoxville, TN to Waco, TX covers 940 mi and around 16h 43m 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.
940 mi Β· 16h 43m by car Β· TN β AR β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TN β AR β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 30, US 70 |
| Major cities en route | Murfreesboro, Memphis, Little Rock, Mckinney, Plano |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Knoxville | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.569 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 71.869 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.247 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 82.783 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
Waco and Knoxville are close on the overall BEA RPP (92.569 vs 92.55); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Waco typical home at $194,245 is 0.0% under Knoxville at $369,216 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Knoxville +0.7%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Knoxville | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 55.8" | 37.5" |
Waco runs 8.7Β°F warmer on the annual average (57.9Β°F vs 66.6Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Waco sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KNOXVILLE EXP STN, TN US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Knoxville | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $50,994 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.5% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.28 | 2.68 |
Household income lines up β $50,994 vs $51,468 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Waco MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,230 | $37,850 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 11,590 | $27,240 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 10,990 | $34,410 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 10,750 | $35,750 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 10,020 | $58,350 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Tennessee and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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 Waco average 95Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Knoxville vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $50,994 in Knoxville β a 0.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Knoxville to Waco?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 940 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Waco compared to Knoxville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $369,216 in Knoxville β a 47.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Waco, TX from Knoxville, TN?
The driving distance is 940 mi and the route typically takes 16h 43m via I 40 and I 30. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Waco compare to Knoxville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $43,040 in the Knoxville MSA, on total employment of 125,640 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· Waco, TX.