Moving from Lee's Summit, MO to Knoxville, TN
A move from Lee's Summit, MO to Knoxville, TN covers 727 mi and around 13h 32m of driving through 4 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.
727 mi Β· 13h 32m by car Β· TN β KY β IL β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | TN β KY β IL β MO |
|---|---|
| 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
| Lee's Summit | 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 |
Knoxville and Lee's Summit are close on the overall BEA RPP (92.543 vs 92.569); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 0.0% lower in Knoxville than Lee's Summit as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Lee's Summit +2.1%, Knoxville +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lee's Summit | Knoxville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 55.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 55.7Β°F vs 57.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US, KNOXVILLE EXP STN, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lee's Summit | Knoxville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 193,721 |
| Median household income | $104,989 | $50,994 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 20.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.28 |
Median household income in Knoxville is 0.0% below Lee's Summit ($104,989 vs $50,994, 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 Missouri 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 household income compare in Lee's Summit vs Knoxville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $50,994 in Knoxville vs $104,989 in Lee's Summit β a 51.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Knoxville, TN from Lee's Summit, MO?
The driving distance is 727 mi and the route typically takes 13h 32m via I 70 and I 24. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Knoxville compare to Lee's Summit?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,040 in the Knoxville MSA vs $48,040 in the Lee's Summit 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 much do homes cost in Knoxville compared to Lee's Summit?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $369,216 in Knoxville vs $390,166 in Lee's Summit β a 5.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Lee's Summit to Knoxville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 727 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 Lee's Summit.
City profiles: Lee's Summit, MO Β· Knoxville, TN.