Moving from West Palm Beach, FL to Knoxville, TN
The drive from West Palm Beach, FL to Knoxville, TN runs 796 mi β about 14h 45m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
796 mi Β· 14h 45m by car Β· TN β GA β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | TN β GA β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 75, GA 540, I 40 |
| Major cities en route | Chattanooga, Sandy Springs, Atlanta, South Fulton, Gainesville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| West Palm Beach | Knoxville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 114.155 | 92.569 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 97.235 | 71.869 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.556 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 155.551 | 82.783 | 100.0 |
Knoxville is 18.9% cheaper than West Palm Beach overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Knoxville is 18.9% below West Palm Beach ($369,216 vs $399,471 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: West Palm Beach -3.1%, Knoxville +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | West Palm Beach | Knoxville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 58Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 61.7" | 55.8" |
Knoxville runs 17.9Β°F colder on the annual average (75.8Β°F vs 57.9Β°F) β expect a noticeably different year.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WEST PALM BEACH INTL AP, FL US, KNOXVILLE EXP STN, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Palm Beach | Knoxville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,508 | 193,721 |
| Median household income | $69,261 | $50,994 |
| Median age | 40.2 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.4% | 20.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.37 | 2.28 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 18.9% between West Palm Beach and Knoxville (ACS 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 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
- 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 (17.9Β°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 the job market in Knoxville compare to West Palm Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,040 in the Knoxville MSA vs $46,510 in the West Palm Beach MSA, on total employment of 413,540 and 2,721,490 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Knoxville more expensive than West Palm Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Knoxville is 18.9% lower than West Palm Beach (92.569 vs 114.155, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Knoxville, TN from West Palm Beach, FL?
The driving distance is 796 mi and the route typically takes 14h 45m via I 75 and GA 540. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Knoxville compared to West Palm Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $369,216 in Knoxville vs $399,471 in West Palm Beach β a 7.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in West Palm Beach vs Knoxville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $50,994 in Knoxville vs $69,261 in West Palm Beach β a 26.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from West Palm Beach to Knoxville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 796 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from West Palm Beach.
City profiles: West Palm Beach, FL Β· Knoxville, TN.