Moving from Aurora, CO to Memphis, TN
It is 1085 mi between Aurora and Memphis β roughly 18h 29m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 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.
1085 mi Β· 18h 29m by car Β· TN β AR β OK β KS β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | TN β AR β OK β KS β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, I 40 |
| Major cities en route | Little Rock, Broken Arrow, Tulsa, Wichita, Thornton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Aurora | Memphis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 92.179 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 74.097 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 96.221 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 79.807 | 100.0 |
Expect about 12.9% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Memphis at 92.179 vs Aurora at 105.782.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 12.9% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $463,081 to $144,710 moving to Memphis.
YoY change: Aurora -4.3%, Memphis -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Aurora | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 17Β°F | 33Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 2.7" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 54.9" |
Annual temperature rises 12.6Β°F moving to Memphis per NOAA normals.
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: CHERRY CREEK DAM, CO US, MEMPHIS INTL AP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Aurora | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 629,063 |
| Median household income | $84,320 | $51,211 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.4% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.73 | 2.47 |
Memphis households earn about 12.9% less than Aurora at the median β $84,320 β $51,211 on 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 Colorado 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.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (12.6Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Aurora?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,400 in the Memphis MSA vs $58,490 in the Aurora MSA, on total employment of 625,340 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Aurora to Memphis?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1085 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 Aurora vs Memphis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,211 in Memphis vs $84,320 in Aurora β a 39.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Memphis, TN from Aurora, CO?
The driving distance is 1085 mi and the route typically takes 18h 29m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Memphis compared to Aurora?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $144,710 in Memphis vs $463,081 in Aurora β a 68.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Memphis more expensive than Aurora?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Memphis is 12.9% lower than Aurora (92.179 vs 105.782, 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 Aurora.
City profiles: Aurora, CO Β· Memphis, TN.