Moving from Knoxville, TN to Sandy Springs, GA
The 197 mi from Knoxville to Sandy Springs translate to about 3h 55m behind the wheel through 2 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
197 mi Β· 3h 55m by car Β· TN β GA
Distance & route
| Route through | TN β GA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 75, I 40, TN 60 |
| Major cities en route | Chattanooga, Atlanta, South Fulton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Knoxville | Sandy Springs | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.569 | 100.058 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 71.869 | 96.239 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.247 | 100.416 | 100.0 |
| Services | 82.783 | 111.022 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 8.1% pricier overall in Sandy Springs than Knoxville on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Sandy Springs typical home at $691,063 is 8.1% above Knoxville at $369,216 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Knoxville +0.7%, Sandy Springs +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Knoxville | Sandy Springs |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 33Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 55.8" | 51.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 57.9Β°F vs 61.5Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KNOXVILLE EXP STN, TN US, ATLANTA PEACHTREE AP, GA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Knoxville | Sandy Springs |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 107,198 |
| Median household income | $50,994 | $101,593 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 37.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.5% | 39.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.28 | 2.06 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 8.1% between Knoxville and Sandy Springs (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Sandy Springs MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 350,210 | $43,410 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 317,700 | $40,250 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 275,750 | $35,560 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 257,700 | $79,020 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 242,360 | $28,720 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Tennessee and Georgia
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Georgia'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
- Pack rain gear on top: Sandy Springs averages 51.4 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Tropical storms are possible August through October on the Atlantic coast.
- 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 Georgia after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Knoxville vs Sandy Springs?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $101,593 in Sandy Springs vs $50,994 in Knoxville β a 99.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Sandy Springs compared to Knoxville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $691,063 in Sandy Springs vs $369,216 in Knoxville β a 87.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Sandy Springs compare to Knoxville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,370 in the Sandy Springs MSA vs $43,040 in the Knoxville MSA, on total employment of 2,817,660 and 413,540 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Sandy Springs, GA from Knoxville, TN?
The driving distance is 197 mi and the route typically takes 3h 55m via I 75 and I 40. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Knoxville to Sandy Springs?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 197 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Sandy Springs more expensive than Knoxville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sandy Springs is 8.1% higher than Knoxville (100.058 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· Sandy Springs, GA.