Moving from Memphis, TN to Sacramento, CA
Cross-country relocations like Memphis, TN β Sacramento, CA cover 2089 mi and about 36h 28m 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.
2089 mi Β· 36h 28m by car Β· TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, CA 99, US 66 HIST |
| Major cities en route | Little Rock, Norman, Oklahoma City, Amarillo, Albuquerque |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Memphis | Sacramento | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.179 | 106.67 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.097 | 151.29 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.221 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.807 | 130.23 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 92.179 in Memphis to 106.67 in Sacramento, a 15.7% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Sacramento: 15.7% above Memphis on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Memphis -3.1%, Sacramento -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Memphis | Sacramento |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 33Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.7" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 54.9" | 19.2" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Sacramento β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MEMPHIS INTL AP, TN US, SACRAMENTO 5 ESE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Memphis | Sacramento |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 524,802 |
| Median household income | $51,211 | $83,753 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.9% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.63 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 15.7% between Memphis and Sacramento (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Sacramento MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 127,580 | $49,240 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 92,040 | $35,560 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 79,450 | $43,790 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 78,260 | $38,490 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 71,860 | $81,700 |
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 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.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Sacramento average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β 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
When is the best time to move from Memphis to Sacramento?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2089 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Sacramento, CA from Memphis, TN?
The driving distance is 2089 mi and the route typically takes 36h 28m via I 40 and CA 99. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Memphis vs Sacramento?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,753 in Sacramento vs $51,211 in Memphis β a 63.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Sacramento compare to Memphis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,290 in the Sacramento MSA vs $43,400 in the Memphis MSA, on total employment of 1,048,170 and 625,340 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Sacramento more expensive than Memphis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sacramento is 15.7% higher than Memphis (106.67 vs 92.179, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Sacramento compared to Memphis?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $479,766 in Sacramento vs $144,710 in Memphis β a 231.5% 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 Β· Sacramento, CA.