Moving from Knoxville, TN to Amarillo, TX
It is 1112 mi between Knoxville and Amarillo β roughly 19h 31m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 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.
1112 mi Β· 19h 31m by car Β· TX β OK β AR β TN
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β AR β TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 287, US 270 |
| Major cities en route | Oklahoma City, Norman, Little Rock, Memphis, Murfreesboro |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Knoxville | Amarillo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.569 | 91.82 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 71.869 | 83.474 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.247 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 82.783 | 78.38 | 100.0 |
Knoxville and Amarillo sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $369,216 in Knoxville to $206,787 in Amarillo, a 0.8% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Knoxville +0.7%, Amarillo +2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Knoxville | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 57Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 55.8" | β |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 57.9Β°F vs 56.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KNOXVILLE EXP STN, TN US, AMARILLO 7ENE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Knoxville | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 200,945 |
| Median household income | $50,994 | $62,469 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 35 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.5% | 17% |
| Avg household size | 2.28 | 2.56 |
Amarillo households earn about 0.8% more than Knoxville at the median β $50,994 β $62,469 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Amarillo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 14,710 | $37,520 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 12,610 | $26,820 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 11,220 | $37,100 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 11,020 | $29,500 |
| Production Occupations | 9,370 | $39,900 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Tennessee and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Amarillo average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Amarillo compare to Knoxville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,900 in the Amarillo MSA vs $43,040 in the Knoxville MSA, on total employment of 120,310 and 413,540 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Amarillo compared to Knoxville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $206,787 in Amarillo vs $369,216 in Knoxville β a 44.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Knoxville vs Amarillo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,469 in Amarillo vs $50,994 in Knoxville β a 22.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Knoxville to Amarillo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1112 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Amarillo, TX from Knoxville, TN?
The driving distance is 1112 mi and the route typically takes 19h 31m via I 40 and US 287. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Amarillo more expensive than Knoxville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Amarillo is 0.8% lower than Knoxville (91.82 vs 92.569, 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 Knoxville.
City profiles: Knoxville, TN Β· Amarillo, TX.