Moving from Tallahassee, FL to Memphis, TN
A move from Tallahassee, FL to Memphis, TN covers 525 mi and around 10h 12m of driving through 4 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
525 mi Β· 10h 12m by car Β· TN β MS β AL β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | TN β MS β AL β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 78, US 231, I 65 |
| Major cities en route | Birmingham, Montgomery |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tallahassee | Memphis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.919 | 92.179 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.471 | 74.097 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 96.221 | 100.0 |
| Services | 78.528 | 79.807 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Memphis and Tallahassee is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Memphis is 1.9% below Tallahassee β $291,127 vs $144,710 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Tallahassee +0.2%, Memphis -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tallahassee | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 33Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 2.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 58.8" | 54.9" |
Memphis is 5.1Β°F cooler on the annual average (68.5Β°F vs 63.4Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
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: TALLAHASSEE, FL US, MEMPHIS INTL AP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tallahassee | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,696 | 629,063 |
| Median household income | $55,931 | $51,211 |
| Median age | 28 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.3% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.47 |
Median household income in Memphis is 1.9% below Tallahassee ($55,931 β $51,211, 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 Florida 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
- 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 Tallahassee?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $144,710 in Memphis vs $291,127 in Tallahassee β a 50.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Tallahassee to Memphis?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 525 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Memphis, TN from Tallahassee, FL?
The driving distance is 525 mi and the route typically takes 10h 12m via US 78 and US 231. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Tallahassee vs Memphis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,211 in Memphis vs $55,931 in Tallahassee β a 8.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Memphis compare to Tallahassee?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,400 in the Memphis MSA vs $40,930 in the Tallahassee MSA, on total employment of 625,340 and 181,050 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Memphis more expensive than Tallahassee?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Memphis is 1.9% lower than Tallahassee (92.179 vs 93.919, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tallahassee.
City profiles: Tallahassee, FL Β· Memphis, TN.