Moving from Sacramento, CA to Memphis, TN
Moving from Sacramento, CA to Memphis, TN is a 2089 mi cross-country relocation β about 36h 28m of driving through 7 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
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
| Sacramento | Memphis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.67 | 92.179 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 151.29 | 74.097 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 96.221 | 100.0 |
| Services | 130.23 | 79.807 | 100.0 |
Memphis is 13.6% cheaper than Sacramento overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Memphis is 13.6% below Sacramento β $479,766 vs $144,710 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Sacramento -2.5%, Memphis -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Sacramento | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 33Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 2.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 19.2" | 54.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Sacramento (63.4Β°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: SACRAMENTO 5 ESE, CA US, MEMPHIS INTL AP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sacramento | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 524,802 | 629,063 |
| Median household income | $83,753 | $51,211 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.9% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.63 | 2.47 |
Median household income in Memphis is 13.6% below Sacramento ($83,753 vs $51,211, ACS 5-year 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 much do homes cost in Memphis compared to Sacramento?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $144,710 in Memphis vs $479,766 in Sacramento β a 69.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Sacramento to Memphis?
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 does household income compare in Sacramento vs Memphis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,211 in Memphis vs $83,753 in Sacramento β a 38.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Memphis more expensive than Sacramento?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Memphis is 13.6% lower than Sacramento (92.179 vs 106.67, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Memphis compare to Sacramento?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,400 in the Memphis MSA vs $55,290 in the Sacramento MSA, on total employment of 625,340 and 1,048,170 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Memphis, TN from Sacramento, CA?
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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Sacramento.
City profiles: Sacramento, CA Β· Memphis, TN.