Moving from Bellevue, WA to Memphis, TN
It is 2385 mi and 40h 56m from Bellevue to Memphis — a cross-country move across 10 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2385 mi · 40h 56m by car · TN → AR → OK → KS → CO → WY → UT → ID → OR → WA
Distance & route
| Route through | TN → AR → OK → KS → CO → WY → UT → ID → OR → WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, I 70, US 40 |
| Major cities en route | Little Rock, Broken Arrow, Tulsa, Wichita, Denver |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Bellevue | 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 |
Moderate COL drop: 17.1% cheaper overall in Memphis than Bellevue on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
17.1% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Bellevue -2.7%, Memphis -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Bellevue | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 63°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 33°F |
| July avg high | 77°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | 2.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.8" | 54.9" |
Expect 10.2°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Light snow year: Memphis gets around 2.7 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US, MEMPHIS INTL AP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Bellevue | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 151,199 | 629,063 |
| Median household income | $161,300 | $51,211 |
| Median age | 38.3 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.2% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.47 |
Expect median household income to fall 17.1% — $161,300 → $51,211 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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 — check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — 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 — 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 92°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 — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.2°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 Bellevue?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,400 in the Memphis MSA vs $65,260 in the Bellevue 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 Bellevue?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Memphis is 17.1% lower than Bellevue (92.179 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Bellevue and Memphis?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.4°F in Memphis vs 53.2°F in Bellevue (10.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 2.7 in vs 3.8 in. Annual precipitation: 54.9 in vs 37.8 in.
How much do homes cost in Memphis compared to Bellevue?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $144,710 in Memphis vs $1,516,154 in Bellevue — a 90.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Bellevue vs Memphis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,211 in Memphis vs $161,300 in Bellevue — a 68.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Memphis, TN from Bellevue, WA?
The driving distance is 2385 mi and the route typically takes 40h 56m 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 Bellevue to Memphis?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2385 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 Bellevue.
City profiles: Bellevue, WA · Memphis, TN.