Moving from Los Angeles, CA to Memphis, TN
It is 1811 mi and 31h 13m from Los Angeles to Memphis — a cross-country move across 7 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1811 mi · 31h 13m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX → OK → AR → TN
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX → OK → AR → TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 270, OK 3 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Clarita, Torrance, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Inglewood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Los Angeles | Memphis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 92.179 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 74.097 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 96.221 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 79.807 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 18.8% cheaper overall in Memphis than Los Angeles on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
18.8% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Los Angeles -1.4%, Memphis -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Los Angeles | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 63°F |
| January avg low | 48°F | 33°F |
| July avg high | 78°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 2.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.1" | 54.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Memphis gets around 2.7 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: CULVER CITY, CA US, MEMPHIS INTL AP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Los Angeles | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 629,063 |
| Median household income | $80,366 | $51,211 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.5% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.47 |
Expect median household income to fall 18.8% — $80,366 → $51,211 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Memphis MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 106,230 | $38,330 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 83,120 | $40,640 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 51,140 | $28,230 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 50,680 | $32,680 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 39,480 | $73,120 |
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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Memphis average 92°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Memphis averages 54.9 in of annual precipitation — 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
What is the climate difference between Los Angeles and Memphis?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.4°F in Memphis vs 63.8°F in Los Angeles (0.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 2.7 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 54.9 in vs 14.1 in.
Is Memphis more expensive than Los Angeles?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Memphis is 18.8% lower than Los Angeles (92.179 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Los Angeles to Memphis?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1811 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Memphis compared to Los Angeles?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $144,710 in Memphis vs $952,183 in Los Angeles — a 84.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Los Angeles vs Memphis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,211 in Memphis vs $80,366 in Los Angeles — a 36.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Memphis, TN from Los Angeles, CA?
The driving distance is 1811 mi and the route typically takes 31h 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 Memphis compare to Los Angeles?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,400 in the Memphis MSA vs $50,490 in the Los Angeles MSA, on total employment of 625,340 and 6,185,570 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 Los Angeles.
City profiles: Los Angeles, CA · Memphis, TN.