Moving from Knoxville, TN to Kansas City, KS
It is 742 mi between Knoxville and Kansas City β roughly 13h 52m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 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.
742 mi Β· 13h 52m by car Β· TN β KY β IL β MO β KS
Distance & route
| Route through | TN β KY β IL β MO β KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 24, I 40 |
| Major cities en route | Murfreesboro, Clarksville, St Louis, Columbia, Independence |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Knoxville | Kansas City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.569 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 71.869 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.247 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 82.783 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 92.569 vs 92.543 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 0.0% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $369,216 to $198,195 moving to Kansas City.
YoY change: Knoxville +0.7%, Kansas City +1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Knoxville | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 57Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 11.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 55.8" | 38.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Knoxville (57.9Β°F) and Kansas City (56.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Kansas City averages 11.0 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KNOXVILLE EXP STN, TN US, KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Knoxville | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 154,776 |
| Median household income | $50,994 | $59,183 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.5% | 12.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.28 | 2.72 |
Households in Kansas City earn about 0.0% more at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Kansas City MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 133,580 | $43,640 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 105,080 | $42,090 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 95,130 | $29,920 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 94,940 | $36,640 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 77,380 | $75,790 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Tennessee and Kansas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Kansas'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-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees 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 Kansas City average 90Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Tornado season peaks April through June β identify a safe room or interior space in the new home on day one.
- 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 Kansas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Kansas City compared to Knoxville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $198,195 in Kansas City vs $369,216 in Knoxville β a 46.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Knoxville vs Kansas City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $59,183 in Kansas City vs $50,994 in Knoxville β a 16.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Kansas City, KS from Knoxville, TN?
The driving distance is 742 mi and the route typically takes 13h 52m via I 70 and I 24. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Kansas City compare to Knoxville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA vs $43,040 in the Knoxville MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 413,540 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Knoxville to Kansas City?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 742 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Knoxville.
City profiles: Knoxville, TN Β· Kansas City, KS.