Moving from Modesto, CA to Knoxville, TN
It is 2401 mi and 41h 60m from Modesto to Knoxville β 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.
2401 mi Β· 41h 60m 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, CA 99, US 270 |
| Major cities en route | Stockton, Fresno, Clovis, Visalia, Bakersfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Modesto | Knoxville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.108 | 92.569 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.259 | 71.869 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 108.476 | 82.783 | 100.0 |
Expect about 11.1% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Knoxville at 92.569 vs Modesto at 104.108.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect around 11.1% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Modesto -0.7%, Knoxville +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Modesto | Knoxville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.3" | 55.8" |
Expect 5.2Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MODESTO CITY CO AP, CA US, KNOXVILLE EXP STN, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Modesto | Knoxville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 193,721 |
| Median household income | $77,899 | $50,994 |
| Median age | 35.4 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.8% | 20.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.02 | 2.28 |
Expect median household income to fall 11.1% β $77,899 β $50,994 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 does household income compare in Modesto vs Knoxville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $50,994 in Knoxville vs $77,899 in Modesto β a 34.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Knoxville, TN from Modesto, CA?
The driving distance is 2401 mi and the route typically takes 41h 60m via I 40 and CA 99. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Knoxville compared to Modesto?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $369,216 in Knoxville vs $446,494 in Modesto β a 17.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Modesto to Knoxville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2401 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Knoxville more expensive than Modesto?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Knoxville is 11.1% lower than Modesto (92.569 vs 104.108, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Knoxville compare to Modesto?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,040 in the Knoxville MSA vs $47,720 in the Modesto MSA, on total employment of 413,540 and 192,020 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 Modesto.
City profiles: Modesto, CA Β· Knoxville, TN.