Moving from Memphis, TN to Knoxville, TN
It is a 384 mi drive, roughly 7h 5m, between Memphis, TN and Knoxville, TN. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
384 mi · 7h 5m by car · TN
Distance & route
| Route through | TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 65, SR 62 |
| Major cities en route | Murfreesboro |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Memphis | Knoxville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.179 | 92.569 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.097 | 71.869 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.221 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.807 | 82.783 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
0.4% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Memphis -3.1%, Knoxville +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Memphis | Knoxville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63°F | 58°F |
| January avg low | 33°F | 26°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 88°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.7" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 54.9" | 55.8" |
Annual temperature drops 5.5°F moving to Knoxville per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: MEMPHIS INTL AP, TN US, KNOXVILLE EXP STN, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Memphis | Knoxville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 193,721 |
| Median household income | $51,211 | $50,994 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.9% | 20.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.28 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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.
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
- 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 — 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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Memphis vs Knoxville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $50,994 in Knoxville vs $51,211 in Memphis — a 0.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Knoxville compared to Memphis?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $369,216 in Knoxville vs $144,710 in Memphis — a 155.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Knoxville compare to Memphis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,040 in the Knoxville MSA vs $43,400 in the Memphis MSA, on total employment of 413,540 and 625,340 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Knoxville, TN from Memphis, TN?
The driving distance is 384 mi and the route typically takes 7h 5m via I 40 and I 65. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Knoxville more expensive than Memphis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Knoxville is 0.4% higher than Memphis (92.569 vs 92.179, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Memphis to Knoxville?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 384 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 Memphis.
City profiles: Memphis, TN · Knoxville, TN.