Moving from Durham, NC to Memphis, TN
It is 728 mi between Durham and Memphis β roughly 13h 31m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 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.
728 mi Β· 13h 31m by car Β· TN β VA β NC
Distance & route
| Route through | TN β VA β NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, US 52 |
| Major cities en route | Murfreesboro, Knoxville, Winston Salem, High Point, Greensboro |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Durham | Memphis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.572 | 92.179 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.317 | 74.097 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 96.221 | 100.0 |
| Services | 98.934 | 79.807 | 100.0 |
Expect about 5.5% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Memphis at 92.179 vs Durham at 97.572.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 5.5% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $396,395 to $144,710 moving to Memphis.
YoY change: Durham -2.5%, Memphis -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Durham | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 28Β°F | 33Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 2.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.6" | 54.9" |
Annual temperature rises 5.0Β°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: DURHAM, NC US, MEMPHIS INTL AP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Durham | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 629,063 |
| Median household income | $79,234 | $51,211 |
| Median age | 34.8 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.8% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.34 | 2.47 |
Memphis households earn about 5.5% less than Durham at the median β $79,234 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 North Carolina 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.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade 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 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.
- 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 far is Memphis, TN from Durham, NC?
The driving distance is 728 mi and the route typically takes 13h 31m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Durham vs Memphis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,211 in Memphis vs $79,234 in Durham β a 35.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Memphis compared to Durham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $144,710 in Memphis vs $396,395 in Durham β a 63.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Durham to Memphis?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 728 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Memphis compare to Durham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,400 in the Memphis MSA vs $58,480 in the Durham MSA, on total employment of 625,340 and 336,100 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Memphis more expensive than Durham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Memphis is 5.5% lower than Durham (92.179 vs 97.572, 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 Durham.
City profiles: Durham, NC Β· Memphis, TN.