Moving from Salt Lake City, UT to Memphis, TN
Cross-country relocations like Salt Lake City, UT → Memphis, TN cover 1613 mi and about 27h 27m 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.
1613 mi · 27h 27m by car · TN → AR → OK → KS → CO → WY → UT
Distance & route
| Route through | TN → AR → OK → KS → CO → WY → UT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Little Rock, Broken Arrow, Tulsa, Wichita, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Salt Lake City | Memphis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.868 | 92.179 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 79 | 74.097 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.446 | 96.221 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.311 | 79.807 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Memphis are 8.6% below Salt Lake City — 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: Memphis typical home at $144,710 is 8.6% under Salt Lake City at $573,181 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Salt Lake City +1.6%, Memphis -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Salt Lake City | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 63°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 33°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.0" | 2.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.7" | 54.9" |
Climate warms by 7.6°F on the annual average — 55.8°F → 63.4°F.
Expect 2.7 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SALT LAKE TRIAD CTR, UT US, MEMPHIS INTL AP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Salt Lake City | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 203,888 | 629,063 |
| Median household income | $74,925 | $51,211 |
| Median age | 33 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.9% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.47 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 8.6% between Salt Lake City and Memphis (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 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.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
- 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 Memphis average 92°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 — 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 far is Memphis, TN from Salt Lake City, UT?
The driving distance is 1613 mi and the route typically takes 27h 27m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Memphis more expensive than Salt Lake City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Memphis is 8.6% lower than Salt Lake City (92.179 vs 100.868, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Salt Lake City and Memphis?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.4°F in Memphis vs 55.8°F in Salt Lake City (7.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 2.7 in vs 49.0 in. Annual precipitation: 54.9 in vs 17.7 in.
How much do homes cost in Memphis compared to Salt Lake City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $144,710 in Memphis vs $573,181 in Salt Lake City — a 74.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Salt Lake City vs Memphis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,211 in Memphis vs $74,925 in Salt Lake City — a 31.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Salt Lake City to Memphis?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1613 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Memphis compare to Salt Lake City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,400 in the Memphis MSA vs $49,440 in the Salt Lake City MSA, on total employment of 625,340 and 803,800 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 Salt Lake City.
City profiles: Salt Lake City, UT · Memphis, TN.