Moving from Fort Worth, TX to Knoxville, TN
The drive from Fort Worth, TX to Knoxville, TN runs 876 mi β about 15h 36m 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.
876 mi Β· 15h 36m by car Β· TX β AR β TN
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β AR β TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 30, US 67 |
| Major cities en route | Arlington, Irving, Grand Prairie, Carrollton, Lewisville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fort Worth | Knoxville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 92.569 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 71.869 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 82.783 | 100.0 |
Knoxville is 10.2% cheaper than Fort Worth overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Knoxville is 10.2% above Fort Worth β $298,051 vs $369,216 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Fort Worth -2.8%, Knoxville +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fort Worth | Knoxville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 97Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | β | 55.8" |
Climate cools by 9.6Β°F on the annual average β 67.5Β°F β 57.9Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FT WORTH MEACHAM FLD NAAF, TX US, KNOXVILLE EXP STN, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Worth | Knoxville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 941,311 | 193,721 |
| Median household income | $76,602 | $50,994 |
| Median age | 33.4 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 20.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.82 | 2.28 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 10.2% between Fort Worth and Knoxville (ACS 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 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 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.
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
When is the best time to move from Fort Worth to Knoxville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 876 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Knoxville, TN from Fort Worth, TX?
The driving distance is 876 mi and the route typically takes 15h 36m via I 40 and I 30. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Knoxville compared to Fort Worth?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $369,216 in Knoxville vs $298,051 in Fort Worth β a 23.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Knoxville more expensive than Fort Worth?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Knoxville is 10.2% lower than Fort Worth (92.569 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Fort Worth vs Knoxville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $50,994 in Knoxville vs $76,602 in Fort Worth β a 33.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Knoxville compare to Fort Worth?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,040 in the Knoxville MSA vs $48,440 in the Fort Worth MSA, on total employment of 413,540 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fort Worth.
City profiles: Fort Worth, TX Β· Knoxville, TN.