Moving from Provo, UT to Chattanooga, TN
Cross-country relocations like Provo, UT → Chattanooga, TN cover 1783 mi and about 31h 45m 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.
1783 mi · 31h 45m by car · TN → KY → IL → MO → NE → WY → UT
Distance & route
| Route through | TN → KY → IL → MO → NE → WY → UT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 24, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Murfreesboro, Clarksville, St Louis, Columbia, Independence |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Provo | Chattanooga | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.232 | 91.464 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 78.63 | 74.209 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.446 | 95.994 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.081 | 76.55 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Chattanooga are 6.9% below Provo — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Chattanooga typical home at $319,579 is 6.9% under Provo at $484,203 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Provo +2.3%, Chattanooga -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Provo | Chattanooga |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 24°F | 32°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 44.9" | 3.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.2" | 55.0" |
Climate warms by 7.3°F on the annual average — 54.6°F → 61.9°F.
Expect 3.6 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PROVO BYU, UT US, CHATTANOOGA LOVELL AP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Provo | Chattanooga |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,303 | 182,832 |
| Median household income | $62,800 | $61,028 |
| Median age | 23.7 | 36.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.1% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 3.35 | 2.35 |
Household income lines up — $62,800 vs $61,028 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Chattanooga MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 34,970 | $39,520 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 27,430 | $36,320 |
| Production Occupations | 26,510 | $43,150 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 24,780 | $27,910 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 22,460 | $31,750 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Utah 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 — 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
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Chattanooga average 91°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: Chattanooga averages 55.0 in of annual precipitation — 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
Is Chattanooga more expensive than Provo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Chattanooga is 6.9% lower than Provo (91.464 vs 98.232, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Provo vs Chattanooga?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $61,028 in Chattanooga vs $62,800 in Provo — a 2.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Chattanooga compared to Provo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $319,579 in Chattanooga vs $484,203 in Provo — a 34.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Provo to Chattanooga?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1783 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Provo and Chattanooga?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.9°F in Chattanooga vs 54.6°F in Provo (7.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 3.6 in vs 44.9 in. Annual precipitation: 55.0 in vs 17.2 in.
How does the job market in Chattanooga compare to Provo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,150 in the Chattanooga MSA vs $45,700 in the Provo MSA, on total employment of 261,750 and 293,170 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Chattanooga, TN from Provo, UT?
The driving distance is 1783 mi and the route typically takes 31h 45m via I 80 and I 24. 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 Provo.
City profiles: Provo, UT · Chattanooga, TN.