Moving from Chattanooga, TN to Knoxville, TN
Relocating between Chattanooga, TN and Knoxville, TN is a 105 mi drive — 2h 2m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
105 mi · 2h 2m by car · TN
Distance & route
| Route through | TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 75, I 40, TN 317 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Chattanooga | Knoxville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.464 | 92.569 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.209 | 71.869 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.994 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 76.55 | 82.783 | 100.0 |
Chattanooga and Knoxville sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Knoxville run about 1.2% pricier — ZHVI $319,579 → $369,216 (2026-03).
YoY change: Chattanooga -0.8%, Knoxville +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Chattanooga | Knoxville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 58°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 26°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 88°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.6" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 55.0" | 55.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 61.9°F vs 57.9°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: CHATTANOOGA LOVELL AP, TN US, KNOXVILLE EXP STN, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Chattanooga | Knoxville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 193,721 |
| Median household income | $61,028 | $50,994 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 20.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.28 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 1.2% lower in Knoxville than Chattanooga.
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.
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.
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 — 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.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Knoxville compare to Chattanooga?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,040 in the Knoxville MSA vs $43,150 in the Chattanooga MSA, on total employment of 413,540 and 261,750 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Chattanooga vs Knoxville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $50,994 in Knoxville vs $61,028 in Chattanooga — a 16.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Knoxville, TN from Chattanooga, TN?
The driving distance is 105 mi and the route typically takes 2h 2m via I 75 and I 40. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Knoxville more expensive than Chattanooga?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Knoxville is 1.2% higher than Chattanooga (92.569 vs 91.464, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Knoxville compared to Chattanooga?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $369,216 in Knoxville vs $319,579 in Chattanooga — a 15.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Chattanooga to Knoxville?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 105 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 Chattanooga.
City profiles: Chattanooga, TN · Knoxville, TN.