Moving from Knoxville, TN to Cleveland, OH
It is a 498 mi drive, roughly 9h 17m, between Knoxville, TN and Cleveland, OH. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
498 mi Β· 9h 17m by car Β· OH β KY β TN
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β KY β TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 71, I 75, I 275 |
| Major cities en route | Akron, Columbus, Dayton, Cincinnati |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Knoxville | Cleveland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.569 | 93.923 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 71.869 | 95.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.247 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 82.783 | 79.434 | 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
1.5% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Knoxville +0.7%, Cleveland -1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Knoxville | Cleveland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 24Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 55.8" | 33.3" |
Annual temperature drops 5.6Β°F moving to Cleveland per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KNOXVILLE EXP STN, TN US, CLEVELAND BURKE AP, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Knoxville | Cleveland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 367,523 |
| Median household income | $50,994 | $39,187 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 36.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.5% | 12.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.28 | 2.18 |
Cleveland households earn about 1.5% less than Knoxville at the median β $50,994 β $39,187 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
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
Is Cleveland more expensive than Knoxville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cleveland is 1.5% higher than Knoxville (93.923 vs 92.569, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Knoxville to Cleveland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 498 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Cleveland, OH from Knoxville, TN?
The driving distance is 498 mi and the route typically takes 9h 17m via I 71 and I 75. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Cleveland compared to Knoxville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $115,537 in Cleveland vs $369,216 in Knoxville β a 68.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Knoxville vs Cleveland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $39,187 in Cleveland vs $50,994 in Knoxville β a 23.2% 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 Knoxville.
City profiles: Knoxville, TN Β· Cleveland, OH.