Moving from Little Rock, AR to Knoxville, TN
It is 532 mi between Little Rock and Knoxville β roughly 9h 42m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 2 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
532 mi Β· 9h 42m by car Β· AR β TN
Distance & route
| Route through | AR β TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 630, US 67 |
| Major cities en route | Memphis, Murfreesboro |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Little Rock | Knoxville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.364 | 92.569 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.635 | 71.869 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.577 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 68.295 | 82.783 | 100.0 |
Little Rock and Knoxville sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $216,519 in Little Rock to $369,216 in Knoxville, a 3.6% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Little Rock +2.2%, Knoxville +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Little Rock | Knoxville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 50.4" | 55.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 61.7Β°F vs 57.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US, KNOXVILLE EXP STN, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Little Rock | Knoxville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 193,721 |
| Median household income | $60,583 | $50,994 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 20.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.33 | 2.28 |
Households in Knoxville earn about 3.6% less at the median β 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 Arkansas 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.
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
Is Knoxville more expensive than Little Rock?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Knoxville is 3.6% higher than Little Rock (92.569 vs 89.364, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Knoxville, TN from Little Rock, AR?
The driving distance is 532 mi and the route typically takes 9h 42m via I 40 and I 630. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Little Rock to Knoxville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 532 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 Knoxville compared to Little Rock?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $369,216 in Knoxville vs $216,519 in Little Rock β a 70.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Knoxville compare to Little Rock?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,040 in the Knoxville MSA vs $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA, on total employment of 413,540 and 345,890 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Little Rock vs Knoxville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $50,994 in Knoxville vs $60,583 in Little Rock β a 15.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Little Rock.
City profiles: Little Rock, AR Β· Knoxville, TN.