Moving from Memphis, TN to Los Angeles, CA
It is 1811 mi and 31h 13m from Memphis to Los Angeles — 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
| Memphis | Los Angeles | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.179 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.097 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.221 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.807 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Los Angeles is 23.2% more expensive than Memphis on the BEA RPP — expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $144,710 in Memphis to $952,183 in Los Angeles, a 23.2% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Memphis -3.1%, Los Angeles -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Memphis | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 33°F | 48°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 78°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.7" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 54.9" | 14.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 63.4°F vs 63.8°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Los Angeles sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: MEMPHIS INTL AP, TN US, CULVER CITY, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Memphis | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 3,857,897 |
| Median household income | $51,211 | $80,366 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.9% | 24.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.72 |
Expect median household income to rise 23.2% — $51,211 → $80,366 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Los Angeles MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Tennessee and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Dry climate: Los Angeles sees only 14.1 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Los Angeles, CA from Memphis, TN?
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 Los Angeles compare to Memphis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Los Angeles MSA vs $43,400 in the Memphis MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 625,340 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Memphis vs Los Angeles?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $80,366 in Los Angeles vs $51,211 in Memphis — a 56.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Los Angeles more expensive than Memphis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Los Angeles is 23.2% higher than Memphis (113.566 vs 92.179, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Memphis and Los Angeles?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.8°F in Los Angeles vs 63.4°F in Memphis (0.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 2.7 in. Annual precipitation: 14.1 in vs 54.9 in.
When is the best time to move from Memphis to Los Angeles?
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 Los Angeles compared to Memphis?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $952,183 in Los Angeles vs $144,710 in Memphis — a 558.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Memphis.
City profiles: Memphis, TN · Los Angeles, CA.