Moving from San Antonio, TX to Knoxville, TN
It is 1116 mi between San Antonio and Knoxville β roughly 19h 49m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 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.
1116 mi Β· 19h 49m by car Β· TX β AR β TN
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β AR β TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 30, I 35 |
| Major cities en route | Austin, Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Arlington |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Antonio | Knoxville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 94.716 | 92.569 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.169 | 71.869 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 94.575 | 82.783 | 100.0 |
San Antonio and Knoxville sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $249,810 in San Antonio to $369,216 in Knoxville, a 2.3% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: San Antonio -2.7%, Knoxville +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Antonio | Knoxville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 40Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 34.0" | 55.8" |
Annual temperature drops 11.1Β°F moving to Knoxville per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US, KNOXVILLE EXP STN, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Antonio | Knoxville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,458,954 | 193,721 |
| Median household income | $62,917 | $50,994 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 20.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.28 |
Households in Knoxville earn about 2.3% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Knoxville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 57,000 | $39,660 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 40,780 | $28,680 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 39,220 | $36,490 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 35,880 | $32,470 |
| Production Occupations | 33,840 | $41,910 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas 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
- Pack rain gear on top: Knoxville averages 55.8 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (11.1Β°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 San Antonio vs Knoxville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $50,994 in Knoxville vs $62,917 in San Antonio β a 19.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Knoxville compare to San Antonio?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,040 in the Knoxville MSA vs $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA, on total employment of 413,540 and 1,091,510 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Knoxville compared to San Antonio?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $369,216 in Knoxville vs $249,810 in San Antonio β a 47.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from San Antonio to Knoxville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1116 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Knoxville more expensive than San Antonio?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Knoxville is 2.3% lower than San Antonio (92.569 vs 94.716, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Knoxville, TN from San Antonio, TX?
The driving distance is 1116 mi and the route typically takes 19h 49m via I 40 and I 30. The trip crosses 3 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 San Antonio.
City profiles: San Antonio, TX Β· Knoxville, TN.