Moving from Memphis, TN to Cincinnati, OH
Moving from Memphis, TN to Cincinnati, OH covers 479 mi and about 8h 54m by car through 3 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
479 mi · 8h 54m by car · TN → KY → OH
Distance & route
| Route through | TN → KY → OH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 65, I 71 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Memphis | Cincinnati | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.179 | 95.37 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.097 | 90.954 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.221 | 93.751 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.807 | 87.608 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Cincinnati and Memphis is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Cincinnati is 3.5% above Memphis — $144,710 vs $249,568 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Memphis -3.1%, Cincinnati +1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Memphis | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63°F | 55°F |
| January avg low | 33°F | 24°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.7" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 54.9" | 43.4" |
Cincinnati is 8.6°F cooler on the annual average (63.4°F vs 54.8°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: MEMPHIS INTL AP, TN US, CINCINNATI LUNKEN AP, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Memphis | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 309,595 |
| Median household income | $51,211 | $51,707 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 33 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.9% | 23.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.17 |
Median household incomes in Memphis ($51,211) and Cincinnati ($51,707) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Cincinnati MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 134,320 | $43,760 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 114,420 | $40,930 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 103,690 | $29,030 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 91,020 | $35,670 |
| Production Occupations | 77,510 | $44,290 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Tennessee and Ohio
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Ohio'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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Cincinnati compare to Memphis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,280 in the Cincinnati MSA vs $43,400 in the Memphis MSA, on total employment of 1,081,800 and 625,340 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Cincinnati, OH from Memphis, TN?
The driving distance is 479 mi and the route typically takes 8h 54m via I 40 and I 65. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Cincinnati compared to Memphis?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,568 in Cincinnati vs $144,710 in Memphis — a 72.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Cincinnati more expensive than Memphis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cincinnati is 3.5% higher than Memphis (95.37 vs 92.179, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Memphis to Cincinnati?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 479 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Memphis vs Cincinnati?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,707 in Cincinnati vs $51,211 in Memphis — a 1.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Memphis.
City profiles: Memphis, TN · Cincinnati, OH.