Moving from Knoxville, TN to Raleigh, NC
It is a 368 mi drive, roughly 6h 56m, between Knoxville, TN and Raleigh, NC. 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.
368 mi Β· 6h 56m by car Β· NC β VA β TN
Distance & route
| Route through | NC β VA β TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 52, I 81, I 40 |
| Major cities en route | Cary, Durham, Greensboro, High Point, Winston Salem |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Knoxville | Raleigh | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.569 | 98.157 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 71.869 | 88.96 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.247 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 82.783 | 103.476 | 100.0 |
Raleigh runs about 6.0% more expensive overall than Knoxville β RPP 92.569 β 98.157.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Raleigh run about 6.0% pricier β ZHVI $369,216 β $433,996 (2026-03).
YoY change: Knoxville +0.7%, Raleigh -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Knoxville | Raleigh |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 61Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 32Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 4.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 55.8" | 49.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 57.9Β°F vs 61.1Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Expect 4.5 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, RALEIGH STATE UNIV, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Knoxville | Raleigh |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 470,763 |
| Median household income | $50,994 | $82,424 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.5% | 32.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.28 | 2.39 |
Raleigh households earn about 6.0% more than Knoxville at the median β $50,994 β $82,424 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Raleigh MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 82,880 | $43,660 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 75,400 | $39,140 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 60,210 | $28,910 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 57,420 | $35,780 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 56,150 | $79,300 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Tennessee and North Carolina
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check North Carolina'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 Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Raleigh average 91Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Atlantic hurricane season runs August through October, particularly on the Outer Banks.
- 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 North Carolina after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Raleigh, NC from Knoxville, TN?
The driving distance is 368 mi and the route typically takes 6h 56m via US 52 and I 81. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Raleigh compare to Knoxville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,800 in the Raleigh MSA vs $43,040 in the Knoxville MSA, on total employment of 702,580 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 Raleigh?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $82,424 in Raleigh vs $50,994 in Knoxville β a 61.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Raleigh more expensive than Knoxville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Raleigh is 6.0% higher than Knoxville (98.157 vs 92.569, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Raleigh compared to Knoxville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $433,996 in Raleigh vs $369,216 in Knoxville β a 17.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Knoxville to Raleigh?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 368 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· Raleigh, NC.