Moving from Knoxville, TN to Hampton, VA
A move from Knoxville, TN to Hampton, VA covers 516 mi and around 9h 31m of driving through 2 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
516 mi Β· 9h 31m by car Β· TN β VA
Distance & route
| Route through | TN β VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 81, I 64, US 11 |
| Major cities en route | Richmond, Newport News, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Knoxville | Hampton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.569 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 71.869 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.247 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 82.783 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 5.8% pricier overall in Hampton than Knoxville on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Hampton typical home at $275,341 is 5.8% under Knoxville at $369,216 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Knoxville +0.7%, Hampton -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Knoxville | Hampton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 32Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 2.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 55.8" | 47.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 57.9Β°F vs 59.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Expect 2.7 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, LANGLEY AFB, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Knoxville | Hampton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 137,334 |
| Median household income | $50,994 | $67,758 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 36.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.5% | 17.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.28 | 2.38 |
Median household income in Hampton is 5.8% above Knoxville ($50,994 vs $67,758, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Hampton MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 82,690 | $39,820 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 71,490 | $29,090 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 69,500 | $31,880 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 59,850 | $38,810 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 57,140 | $79,090 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Tennessee and Virginia
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Virginia'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.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap 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 Hampton compare to Knoxville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Hampton MSA vs $43,040 in the Knoxville MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 413,540 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Hampton, VA from Knoxville, TN?
The driving distance is 516 mi and the route typically takes 9h 31m via I 81 and I 64. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Hampton compared to Knoxville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $275,341 in Hampton vs $369,216 in Knoxville β a 25.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Knoxville to Hampton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 516 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Knoxville vs Hampton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,758 in Hampton vs $50,994 in Knoxville β a 32.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Hampton more expensive than Knoxville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hampton is 5.8% higher than Knoxville (97.941 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· Hampton, VA.