Moving from Knoxville, TN to Dallas, TX
Relocating 840 mi from Knoxville to Dallas is a 14h 52m drive through 3 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
840 mi Β· 14h 52m 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, Frisco, Grand Prairie, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Knoxville | Dallas | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.569 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 71.869 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.247 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 82.783 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Dallas runs about 11.4% more expensive overall than Knoxville β RPP 92.569 β 103.09.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Dallas run about 11.4% cheaper β ZHVI $369,216 β $309,421 (2026-03).
YoY change: Knoxville +0.7%, Dallas -3.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Knoxville | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 38Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 97Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 1.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 55.8" | 38.3" |
Expect 10.1Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Expect 1.7 in of snow annually at the destination β manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KNOXVILLE EXP STN, TN US, DALLAS LOVE FLD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Knoxville | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 1,299,553 |
| Median household income | $50,994 | $67,760 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.5% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.28 | 2.46 |
Expect median household income to rise 11.4% β $50,994 β $67,760 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Dallas MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
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 Dallas average 97Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.1Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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
When is the best time to move from Knoxville to Dallas?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 840 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Dallas more expensive than Knoxville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dallas is 11.4% higher than Knoxville (103.09 vs 92.569, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Dallas compare to Knoxville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Dallas MSA vs $43,040 in the Knoxville MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 413,540 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Knoxville vs Dallas?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,760 in Dallas vs $50,994 in Knoxville β a 32.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Dallas compared to Knoxville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $309,421 in Dallas vs $369,216 in Knoxville β a 16.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Dallas, TX from Knoxville, TN?
The driving distance is 840 mi and the route typically takes 14h 52m via I 40 and I 30. 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· Dallas, TX.