Moving from Chattanooga, TN to Evansville, IN
It is a 289 mi drive, roughly 5h 31m, between Chattanooga, TN and Evansville, IN. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
289 mi Β· 5h 31m by car Β· TN β GA β KY β IN
Distance & route
| Route through | TN β GA β KY β IN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 24, I 69, I 169 |
| Major cities en route | Murfreesboro, Clarksville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Chattanooga | Evansville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.464 | 91.528 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.209 | 86.717 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.994 | 94.318 | 100.0 |
| Services | 76.55 | 66.735 | 100.0 |
Chattanooga and Evansville sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $319,579 in Chattanooga to $198,977 in Evansville, a 0.1% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Chattanooga -0.8%, Evansville +3.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Chattanooga | Evansville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 32Β°F | 27Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.6" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 55.0" | 47.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 61.9Β°F vs 59.1Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHATTANOOGA LOVELL AP, TN US, EVANSVILLE MUSEUM, IN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Chattanooga | Evansville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 116,441 |
| Median household income | $61,028 | $52,251 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 15.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.23 |
Households in Evansville earn about 0.1% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Evansville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 17,860 | $38,480 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 16,890 | $36,600 |
| Production Occupations | 14,790 | $42,760 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 13,900 | $27,390 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 13,580 | $31,810 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Tennessee and Indiana
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Indiana'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.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Chattanooga to Evansville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 289 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Evansville more expensive than Chattanooga?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Evansville is 0.1% higher than Chattanooga (91.528 vs 91.464, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Evansville compared to Chattanooga?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $198,977 in Evansville vs $319,579 in Chattanooga β a 37.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Evansville compare to Chattanooga?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,930 in the Evansville MSA vs $43,150 in the Chattanooga MSA, on total employment of 152,180 and 261,750 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Evansville, IN from Chattanooga, TN?
The driving distance is 289 mi and the route typically takes 5h 31m via I 24 and I 69. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Chattanooga vs Evansville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $52,251 in Evansville vs $61,028 in Chattanooga β a 14.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Chattanooga.
City profiles: Chattanooga, TN Β· Evansville, IN.