Moving from Moreno Valley, CA to Memphis, TN
It is 1762 mi and 30h 28m from Moreno Valley to Memphis 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.
1762 mi Β· 30h 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, I 10, US 270 |
| 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
| Moreno Valley | Memphis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 92.179 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 74.097 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 96.221 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 79.807 | 100.0 |
Expect about 13.4% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Memphis at 92.179 vs Moreno Valley at 106.442.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 13.4% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $551,284 to $144,710 moving to Memphis.
YoY change: Moreno Valley -1.5%, Memphis -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Moreno Valley | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 33Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 2.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 10.7" | 54.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Moreno Valley (63.3Β°F) and Memphis (63.4Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Memphis averages 2.7 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MARCH AFB, CA US, MEMPHIS INTL AP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Moreno Valley | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 210,378 | 629,063 |
| Median household income | $87,477 | $51,211 |
| Median age | 32.1 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.1% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.84 | 2.47 |
Expect median household income to fall 13.4% β $87,477 β $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 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 Memphis average 92Β°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 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 Moreno Valley vs Memphis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,211 in Memphis vs $87,477 in Moreno Valley β a 41.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Memphis compare to Moreno Valley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,400 in the Memphis MSA vs $47,450 in the Moreno Valley MSA, on total employment of 625,340 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Memphis more expensive than Moreno Valley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Memphis is 13.4% lower than Moreno Valley (92.179 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Moreno Valley to Memphis?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1762 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Memphis compared to Moreno Valley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $144,710 in Memphis vs $551,284 in Moreno Valley β a 73.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Memphis, TN from Moreno Valley, CA?
The driving distance is 1762 mi and the route typically takes 30h 28m via I 40 and I 10. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Moreno Valley.
City profiles: Moreno Valley, CA Β· Memphis, TN.