Moving from El Paso, TX to Memphis, TN
The drive from El Paso, TX to Memphis, TN runs 1095 mi — about 18h 41m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1095 mi · 18h 41m by car · TX → AR → TN
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → AR → TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 30, US 67 |
| Major cities en route | Odessa, Midland, Abilene, Fort Worth, Arlington |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| El Paso | Memphis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.912 | 92.179 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.585 | 74.097 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 96.221 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.248 | 79.807 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Memphis and El Paso is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Memphis is 2.5% below El Paso — $234,775 vs $144,710 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: El Paso +1.4%, Memphis -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | El Paso | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 63°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 33°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.8" | 2.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 8.8" | 54.9" |
Annual average temperatures in El Paso (66.2°F) and Memphis (63.4°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Memphis averages 2.7 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: EL PASO INTL AP, TX US, MEMPHIS INTL AP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | El Paso | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 629,063 |
| Median household income | $58,734 | $51,211 |
| Median age | 34.1 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.3% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.8 | 2.47 |
Income steps down 2.5%: $58,734 in El Paso vs $51,211 in Memphis.
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 Texas 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.
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.
- 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 El Paso, TX?
The driving distance is 1095 mi and the route typically takes 18h 41m via I 20 and I 30. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between El Paso and Memphis?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.4°F in Memphis vs 66.2°F in El Paso (2.8°F colder). Annual snowfall: 2.7 in vs 2.8 in. Annual precipitation: 54.9 in vs 8.8 in.
Is Memphis more expensive than El Paso?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Memphis is 2.5% higher than El Paso (92.179 vs 89.912, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in El Paso vs Memphis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,211 in Memphis vs $58,734 in El Paso — a 12.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Memphis compared to El Paso?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $144,710 in Memphis vs $234,775 in El Paso — a 38.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Memphis compare to El Paso?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,400 in the Memphis MSA vs $36,000 in the El Paso MSA, on total employment of 625,340 and 323,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from El Paso 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 1095 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 El Paso.
City profiles: El Paso, TX · Memphis, TN.