Moving from Port St. Lucie, FL to Memphis, TN
It is 863 mi between Port St. Lucie and Memphis β roughly 16h 39m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
863 mi Β· 16h 39m by car Β· TN β MS β AL β GA β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | TN β MS β AL β GA β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 78, US 280, I 75 |
| Major cities en route | Birmingham, Columbus, Gainesville, Orlando, Palm Bay |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Port St. Lucie | Memphis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.228 | 92.179 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.031 | 74.097 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 96.221 | 100.0 |
| Services | 113.642 | 79.807 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 8.0% moving from Port St. Lucie to Memphis β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Port St. Lucie β, Memphis -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Port St. Lucie | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 57Β°F | 33Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 2.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 58.9" | 54.9" |
Annual temperature drops 11.8Β°F moving to Memphis per NOAA normals.
Expect 2.7 in of snow annually at the destination β manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NETTLES IS, FL US, MEMPHIS INTL AP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Port St. Lucie | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,453 | 629,063 |
| Median household income | $78,137 | $51,211 |
| Median age | 43.7 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.78 | 2.47 |
Memphis households earn about 8.0% less than Port St. Lucie at the median β $78,137 β $51,211 on ACS 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 Florida 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.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (11.8Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 Port St. Lucie vs Memphis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,211 in Memphis vs $78,137 in Port St. Lucie β a 34.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Port St. Lucie to Memphis?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 863 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Memphis compare to Port St. Lucie?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,400 in the Memphis MSA vs $40,900 in the Port St. Lucie MSA, on total employment of 625,340 and 163,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Memphis more expensive than Port St. Lucie?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Memphis is 8.0% lower than Port St. Lucie (92.179 vs 100.228, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Memphis, TN from Port St. Lucie, FL?
The driving distance is 863 mi and the route typically takes 16h 39m via US 78 and US 280. The trip crosses 5 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 Port St. Lucie.
City profiles: Port St. Lucie, FL Β· Memphis, TN.