Moving from Knoxville, TN to Cincinnati, OH
Relocating between Knoxville, TN and Cincinnati, OH is a 255 mi drive β 4h 46m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
255 mi Β· 4h 46m by car Β· OH β KY β TN
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β KY β TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 75, I 71, I 275 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Knoxville | Cincinnati | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.569 | 95.37 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 71.869 | 90.954 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.247 | 93.751 | 100.0 |
| Services | 82.783 | 87.608 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
3.0% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Knoxville +0.7%, Cincinnati +1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Knoxville | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 55Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 24Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 55.8" | 43.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KNOXVILLE EXP STN, TN US, CINCINNATI LUNKEN AP, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Knoxville | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 309,595 |
| Median household income | $50,994 | $51,707 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 33 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.5% | 23.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.28 | 2.17 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Cincinnati MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 134,320 | $43,760 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 114,420 | $40,930 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 103,690 | $29,030 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 91,020 | $35,670 |
| Production Occupations | 77,510 | $44,290 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Tennessee and Ohio
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Ohio'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-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements 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.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Cincinnati compare to Knoxville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,280 in the Cincinnati MSA vs $43,040 in the Knoxville MSA, on total employment of 1,081,800 and 413,540 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Cincinnati more expensive than Knoxville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cincinnati is 3.0% higher than Knoxville (95.37 vs 92.569, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Knoxville vs Cincinnati?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,707 in Cincinnati vs $50,994 in Knoxville β a 1.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Cincinnati compared to Knoxville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,568 in Cincinnati vs $369,216 in Knoxville β a 32.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Knoxville to Cincinnati?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 255 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Cincinnati, OH from Knoxville, TN?
The driving distance is 255 mi and the route typically takes 4h 46m via I 75 and I 71. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Knoxville.
City profiles: Knoxville, TN Β· Cincinnati, OH.