Moving from Fontana, CA to Knoxville, TN
It is 2137 mi and 37h 5m from Fontana to Knoxville β a cross-country move across 7 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.
2137 mi Β· 37h 5m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR β TN
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR β TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 270, OK 3 |
| Major cities en route | Anaheim, Riverside, Moreno Valley, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fontana | Knoxville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 92.569 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 71.869 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 82.783 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 13.0% cheaper overall in Knoxville than Fontana on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
13.0% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Fontana -1.8%, Knoxville +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fontana | Knoxville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 55.8" |
Expect 8.9Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US, KNOXVILLE EXP STN, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fontana | Knoxville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 211,921 | 193,721 |
| Median household income | $98,187 | $50,994 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.7% | 20.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.71 | 2.28 |
Expect median household income to fall 13.0% β $98,187 β $50,994 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
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.
Moving between California 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- 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 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 much do homes cost in Knoxville compared to Fontana?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $369,216 in Knoxville vs $639,032 in Fontana β a 42.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Fontana to Knoxville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2137 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 Knoxville compare to Fontana?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,040 in the Knoxville MSA vs $47,450 in the Fontana MSA, on total employment of 413,540 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Knoxville, TN from Fontana, CA?
The driving distance is 2137 mi and the route typically takes 37h 5m via I 40 and US 270. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Knoxville more expensive than Fontana?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Knoxville is 13.0% lower than Fontana (92.569 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Fontana vs Knoxville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $50,994 in Knoxville vs $98,187 in Fontana β a 48.1% 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 Fontana.
City profiles: Fontana, CA Β· Knoxville, TN.