Moving from Knoxville, TN to Long Beach, CA
Cross-country relocations like Knoxville, TN β Long Beach, CA cover 2195 mi and about 38h 13m of driving through 7 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2195 mi Β· 38h 13m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR β TN
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR β TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 270, OK 3 |
| Major cities en route | Torrance, Inglewood, Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Knoxville | Long Beach | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.569 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 71.869 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.247 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 82.783 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
You are looking at a 22.7% pricier overall price level β 92.569 β 113.566 on the latest BEA Regional Price Parities.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Long Beach typical home at $857,861 is 22.7% above Knoxville at $369,216 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Knoxville +0.7%, Long Beach +0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Knoxville | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 55.8" | 12.0" |
Climate warms by 7.0Β°F on the annual average β 57.9Β°F β 64.9Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KNOXVILLE EXP STN, TN US, LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Knoxville | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 458,491 |
| Median household income | $50,994 | $83,969 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.5% | 22.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.28 | 2.68 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 22.7% between Knoxville and Long Beach (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Long Beach MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Tennessee and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Long Beach sees only 12.0 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Knoxville vs Long Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,969 in Long Beach vs $50,994 in Knoxville β a 64.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Long Beach, CA from Knoxville, TN?
The driving distance is 2195 mi and the route typically takes 38h 13m via I 40 and US 270. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Long Beach compared to Knoxville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $857,861 in Long Beach vs $369,216 in Knoxville β a 132.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Knoxville to Long Beach?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2195 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Long Beach compare to Knoxville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Long Beach MSA vs $43,040 in the Knoxville MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 413,540 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Long Beach more expensive than Knoxville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Long Beach is 22.7% higher than Knoxville (113.566 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· Long Beach, CA.