Moving from Long Beach, CA to Knoxville, TN
Cross-country relocations like Long Beach, CA β Knoxville, TN cover 2195 mi and about 38h 13m of driving through 7 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2195 mi Β· 38h 13m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR β TN
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR β TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 270, OK 3 |
| Major cities en route | Torrance, Inglewood, Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Long Beach | Knoxville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 92.569 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 71.869 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 82.783 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Knoxville are 18.5% below Long Beach β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Knoxville typical home at $369,216 is 18.5% under Long Beach at $857,861 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Long Beach +0.5%, Knoxville +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Long Beach | Knoxville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 55.8" |
Climate cools by 7.0Β°F on the annual average β 64.9Β°F β 57.9Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US, KNOXVILLE EXP STN, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Long Beach | Knoxville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 458,491 | 193,721 |
| Median household income | $83,969 | $50,994 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.3% | 20.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.28 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 18.5% between Long Beach and Knoxville (ACS 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 California 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close 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
- 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 much do homes cost in Knoxville compared to Long Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $369,216 in Knoxville vs $857,861 in Long Beach β a 57.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Knoxville more expensive than Long Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Knoxville is 18.5% lower than Long Beach (92.569 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Knoxville, TN from Long Beach, CA?
The driving distance is 2195 mi and the route typically takes 38h 13m via I 40 and US 270. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Knoxville compare to Long Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,040 in the Knoxville MSA vs $50,490 in the Long Beach MSA, on total employment of 413,540 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Long Beach vs Knoxville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $50,994 in Knoxville vs $83,969 in Long Beach β a 39.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Long Beach to Knoxville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2195 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 Long Beach.
City profiles: Long Beach, CA Β· Knoxville, TN.