Moving from Allen, TX to Chattanooga, TN
Relocating 788 mi from Allen to Chattanooga is a 14h 7m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
788 mi Β· 14h 7m by car Β· TN β GA β AR β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TN β GA β AR β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 30, US 70 |
| Major cities en route | Murfreesboro, Memphis, Little Rock, Mckinney, Plano |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Allen | Chattanooga | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 91.464 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 74.209 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 95.994 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 76.55 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 11.3% moving from Allen to Chattanooga β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $493,532 in Allen to $319,579 in Chattanooga, a 11.3% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Allen -6.4%, Chattanooga -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Allen | Chattanooga |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 32Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 55.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 65.0Β°F vs 61.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Expect 3.6 in of snow annually at the destination β manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MCKINNEY MUNI AP, TX US, CHATTANOOGA LOVELL AP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Allen | Chattanooga |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,684 | 182,832 |
| Median household income | $129,130 | $61,028 |
| Median age | 38.5 | 36.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.6% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.97 | 2.35 |
Expect median household income to fall 11.3% β $129,130 β $61,028 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Chattanooga MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 34,970 | $39,520 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 27,430 | $36,320 |
| Production Occupations | 26,510 | $43,150 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 24,780 | $27,910 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 22,460 | $31,750 |
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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Chattanooga average 91Β°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: Chattanooga averages 55.0 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
Is Chattanooga more expensive than Allen?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Chattanooga is 11.3% lower than Allen (91.464 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Chattanooga compare to Allen?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,150 in the Chattanooga MSA vs $48,440 in the Allen MSA, on total employment of 261,750 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Allen to Chattanooga?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 788 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Allen vs Chattanooga?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $61,028 in Chattanooga vs $129,130 in Allen β a 52.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Chattanooga, TN from Allen, TX?
The driving distance is 788 mi and the route typically takes 14h 7m via I 40 and I 30. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Chattanooga compared to Allen?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $319,579 in Chattanooga vs $493,532 in Allen β a 35.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Allen.
City profiles: Allen, TX Β· Chattanooga, TN.