Moving from Tacoma, WA to Memphis, TN
Cross-country relocations like Tacoma, WA β Memphis, TN cover 2407 mi and about 41h 26m of driving through 10 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.
2407 mi Β· 41h 26m by car Β· TN β AR β OK β KS β CO β WY β UT β ID β OR β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | TN β AR β OK β KS β CO β WY β UT β ID β OR β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, I 70, US 40 |
| Major cities en route | Little Rock, Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Wichita, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tacoma | Memphis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 92.179 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 74.097 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 96.221 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 79.807 | 100.0 |
Memphis is 17.1% cheaper than Tacoma 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 17.1% below Tacoma β $493,840 vs $144,710 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Tacoma -0.9%, Memphis -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tacoma | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 33Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 2.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.8" | 54.9" |
Climate warms by 9.7Β°F on the annual average β 53.7Β°F β 63.4Β°F.
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: TACOMA #1, WA US, MEMPHIS INTL AP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tacoma | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 629,063 |
| Median household income | $83,857 | $51,211 |
| Median age | 37.3 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.47 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 17.1% between Tacoma 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 Washington 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.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β 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.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
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 does the job market in Memphis compare to Tacoma?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,400 in the Memphis MSA vs $65,260 in the Tacoma MSA, on total employment of 625,340 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Memphis more expensive than Tacoma?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Memphis is 17.1% lower than Tacoma (92.179 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Tacoma vs Memphis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,211 in Memphis vs $83,857 in Tacoma β a 38.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Memphis, TN from Tacoma, WA?
The driving distance is 2407 mi and the route typically takes 41h 26m via I 84 and I 70. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Tacoma to Memphis?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2407 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Memphis compared to Tacoma?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $144,710 in Memphis vs $493,840 in Tacoma β a 70.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tacoma.
City profiles: Tacoma, WA Β· Memphis, TN.